Blog Entries

Well folks, the time has come for the last intern blog post of 2019. Every summer, Miron welcomes a number of interns to work in all areas of our company. Throughout the summer we have followed the journeys of ten interns, each with their own unique experience. It has surely has been a wild ride. In the first few weeks we met Amber Ronsman and Charlie Hill  along with Cole Schilling and George Sterner.  In the following weeks Nick Kippenhan and Collin Zuehlke accompanied by Jay Czerniak and Nick Stucke had their time to shine in the spotlight. This week, we are going out with a bang featuring Noah Rucks and Zach Kassube. 

Noah Rucks – Project Management Intern

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! My name is Noah Rucks. I am a sophomore at Fox Valley Technical College, and I am majoring in Construction Management.

What are your future career goals and how do you plan to reach them?

In the future, I would like to become a project manager. I’m learning a lot this summer and have noticed that the superintendents have a great grasp of the entire workflow of a project. I have also learned from Miron superintendent Mike Pernaski that a lot of this knowledge came from his experience in the field. I believe that if I work in the field for a few years after I graduate, I will be a stronger project manager.

What interests you about a career in construction?

What interests me about pursuing a career in the construction industry is the opportunity to watch a project come to life. Many project sites start with nothing, but when the project is completed, there is a fully functioning building that people in the surrounding community will be able to utilize. I love that I will be on a project site from start to finish and watch the site transform.

Why did you choose Miron for your internship?

There are so many reasons that I chose Miron for my internship this summer. To start, I love that Miron does more than just “build buildings.” They emphasize the importance of building relationships and giving back to the community. I also think the culture of Miron is very different than many other construction companies. Everyone I have talked to at Miron enjoys working here and takes great pride in their work. Working for a company that truly values their employees and treats them like family is another reason that I chose Miron for my internship. Additionally, when I spoke to someone from the company at my school’s job fair, I realized that Miron would give me the best chance to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real life situations. When looking for an internship, it was extremely important to me to find a company that would get me out in the field and give me hands-on experience; Miron has done just that.

What aspect of your internship do you love the most?

My favorite aspect of my internship thus far is the fact that I am out on site every single day. I love that I can go out and see the changes made from day to day. When I can’t figure something out while looking at the plans, I can easily take a walk to see it in person.

Have there been any eye opening or mind-blowing aspects of your experience so far? What has surprised you the most about this internship?

This summer I am working at the Community First Champion Center in the Fox Cities, which will soon be a state-of-the-art sports complex. One of the most mind-blowing aspects of my internship is seeing the work done behind the scenes for this project. For instance, when the complex is completed, it will have an ice rink that can be removed, depending on the season, and transformed into fully functional basketball courts. Being on-site, watching the entire process from start to finish, and seeing how this dual-purpose building is created has been extremely eye-opening.

What advice would you have for next year’s interns?

Don’t be afraid to ask a million and one questions. The main purpose of having an internship is to learn, and the best way to do this is by asking questions and talking to as many people in the industry as you can. I would highly encourage other interns to talk to the tradespeople and the subcontractors who are out in the field. I have learned from experience that more often than not, these individuals are more than willing to share their advice, knowledge, and experience.

Zach Kassube – Project Management Intern

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Zach Kassube and I am a going into my senior year at UW-Platteville with a major in Construction Management. I am currently working on the new UW-Eau Claire Residence Hall & Tower Hall Renovation projects.

What are your future career goals and how do you plan to reach them?

I have always wanted a career in construction. A project manager’s role lines up with the goals I’ve envisioned for the next step in my career.  

What interests you about a career in construction?

Growing up I have always had an interest in construction. My dad built the house I grew up in and he still takes great pride in it 20 years later. There are very few industries as rewarding and honorable as construction. The men and women in this industry understand the fact that hard work is not a unique attribute; it is an everyday expectation. What I love about construction is that you can physically see all the hard work put in and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment at the end of every day.

Why did you choose Miron for your internship?

I could say the 100 years of experience or the diversity of project types, but what stuck out to me was the focus on family, especially the bucket mentality. That was something my deployment team did in Africa on Saturday nights. Both officers and enlisted left rank behind and just talked about everything but work and deployment. Those nights made the months go by quickly. That was what stuck out to me about Miron and I’ll gladly work for a company that has a focus on family.

What aspect of your internship do you love the most?

What I love most is working and interacting with the workers in the different trades. This allows me to openly communicate with the subcontractors and that is critical in this industry. Getting to know their work and what problems they face helps me understand how to ensure a project will run smoothly. Additionally, with my project finishing before the start of the fall semester, I was able to help wrap up the project for turnover to the University.

Have there been any eye opening or mind-blowing aspects of your experience so far? What has surprised you the most about this internship? 

I came into this internship with an open mind so I wouldn’t be shocked. However, I didn’t know the magnitude of work and coordination that goes on behind the scenes. Good communication skills are a must for anyone to succeed in this business.

What advice would you have for next year’s interns?

Ask questions! You have three months to learn what most people have been doing for years.

Thank you all for taking part of this journey, we wish the 2019 interns the best of luck with their future endeavors!

Did you enjoy what you just read? If so, sign up for our e-newsletter to receive the latest information on industry trends, Miron projects, and so much more.