Blog Entries

Our interns have been hard at work this summer, gaining valuable experience in their fields of study. Before he trades in his hard hat for a backpack, we asked Bryce Boden, a project management intern working at Lambeau Field, to tell us about his Miron internship experience.

What have you learned this summer? Is there something about the construction industry that you didn’t know before?

Some things that I didn’t know about the construction industry before this summer were how to create a detailed project phasing plan/schedule and how to manage updates to the schedule. Through my experience at legendary Lambeau Field, I have also learned the importance of second- and third-shift work in a facility that needs to remain accessible to the public and presents limitations in work hours.

What has been your favorite part of your internship?

One of my favorite parts of my internship this summer has been working at Lambeau Field and seeing things from behind the scenes. It’s amazing to be able to look out on the field and think about all of the great football games that have been played there. When I see Lambeau on TV, I will always be reminded that the work I did this summer is helping to bring the Packers’ vision to life and create an exciting experience for current and future Packer fans.

What has been the hardest part of your internship?

Everyone is excited to get to work at the beginning of a project, but the hardest part of my internship has been encouraging suppliers and subcontractors to stay focused at the end of the project and work with the team to finish close-out documents, OM Manuals, warranties, etc. on time. I have found that many times, the subcontractors are already focused on the next project once they are close to the end of the current one. You have to make sure that you are able to keep their attention and finish the project out the right way.

Has your take on the construction industry or your career goals changed since you started your internship?

No, my view of the construction industry has not changed, though I have grown in my understanding of the entire construction process as a whole. Having this internship with Miron has given me the confidence to know that being a project manager in the construction industry is what I want to do for my career.

One thing I do every day is set a goal. At the end of the day, I reevaluate to determine if I was able to reach my goal or what the reason was for why I did not reach it. This process allows me to focus on areas that I personally need work on.

What advice would you give other students considering a similar internship?

A few things that I would recommend to other students considering similar internships is to be a sponge and learn everything you can, never be afraid to ask questions, be ready to work hard, and set both personal and professional goals. Another recommendation is to plan to put in the hours necessary to do your job and do it right, even if that means bringing some work home—don’t be afraid to do that.

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to the start of the summer?

Be prepared to make a lot of phone calls and be persistent when you are dealing with subcontractors and suppliers. Know that you will have to give them reminders because everyone is very busy this time of year. You need to make sure they are keeping on top of your project. Also make sure that the subcontractors are on top of their schedules for materials and manpower and are not putting you and your project on the back burner.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about your internship experience?

My internship with Miron has been an amazing opportunity and I try to take advantage of it every day. Being able to work at Lambeau Field this year has been a dream come true, and I will never forget what I have learned.