One summer wasn’t enough. These interns want more.
We welcomed back four familiar faces to Kent Concrete, with Bryan Garcia, Kendal Bruderer, Ethan Vega and Christopher Rodriguez all returning for their second internship. First-time intern Andrew VanderLaan sat down with them to ask the big questions: Why come back? What makes Kent worth it?
Q: What made you want to come back to Kent?
Bryan Garcia (University of North Texas, Construction Management): I felt genuinely welcomed during my internship last summer. I learned a great deal about various aspects of working in concrete and really enjoyed the experience. My mentor, Wes Marek, encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and has provided guidance that’s helped me grow both professionally and personally.
Kendal Bruderer (Texas State University, Concrete Industry Management): When I first started, I had little to no knowledge of the subcontracting concrete realm. I had never seen a full set of drawings before I started here, which was a huge hurdle to overcome. The team was so patient and willing to help me. That stood out to me. The willingness to help that came from the entire team was something special.
Ethan Vega (Ferris State University, Construction Management): I’m here because of the people. I trust my team, and they trust me. It’s not just an internship anymore; it feels like I belong here.
Christopher Rodriguez (Texas State University, Concrete Industry Management): The team was incredibly flexible with my schedule and committed to helping me get the most out of my experience. From day one, Kent has been a welcoming environment with outstanding mentors who are genuinely invested in my growth.
Q: What have your mentors taught you that’s really stuck with you?
Bryan: One of the biggest takeaways from my mentors is the importance of attention to detail. They've taught me to be thorough and organized when doing quantity takeoffs, which is critical in our line of work. They also foster an environment where I feel comfortable asking questions. Not only do they answer them, but they also take the time to explain the reasoning behind their answers. This has helped me understand the 'why' behind the work.
Kendal: There is so much detail, time, and commitment to being an estimator. Having an insane work ethic can take you places. I have a whole new level of admiration for anyone who works on the Preconstruction side.
Ethan: Nothing gets done without the guys in the field. They told me to spend time with them, learn the work, and get to know the people. Last summer, I did just that, and it’s made a huge difference in estimating and project management this time around.
Q: How has your work made an impact this summer?
Bryan: I’ve been trusted to take on smaller bids independently, which lets the rest of the team focus on larger, more complex work. I also do takeoffs alongside the team to help verify accuracy. It’s been a great way to contribute while continuing to learn.
Kendal: One of my goals when transferring from Multifamily/Structural to Commercial was being able to do tilt-wall takeoffs, and I just completed my first job that had almost 300 panels.
Christopher: My work has taken pressure off my superintendent and PM by keeping things like production sheets, PO logs, and daily reports organized. That frees them up to focus on the bigger picture. I’ve also jumped into the field to help with forms, rebar, and concrete finishing... anything that helps keep production moving.
Watching Bryan, Kendal, Ethan, and Christopher in action, it’s clear they're a real part of the team. They’ve taken on serious responsibility and are helping move projects forward every day. After talking with them, I get it. When you’re challenged, supported, and genuinely valued, you don’t just want to intern here. You want to grow here too.
Want to build your career with a team that invests in you from day one? Check out internship and career opportunities at kentcompanies.com/careers
