At Kent, we know that people are our greatest asset. That’s why we invest in people who bring enthusiasm and ambition to their work. And for Site Concrete Intern Ethan Vega, that investment extends beyond just a summer internship.
The work at Kent ramps up over the summer, and interns provide seasonal support to our teams. But when Division Manager Jordan Berens looked at hiring an intern, he saw an opportunity to build something bigger. “The nature of site concrete in Michigan is very seasonal, so it’s hard to develop someone consistently for a full-time role. An internship is a good way to ease someone into management,” he shared. That’s where Vega comes in.
After interning at Kent for one summer, Berens and his team saw Vega’s potential and wanted to continue to play a role in his learning. They were flexible with his school schedule so he could intern during the school year while taking classes at Ferris State University. When summer rolled around again, they could build on the skills he had developed throughout the year. Now Vega is interning for the third summer, and his exposure to the construction industry has multiplied. His mentors have taught him the ins and outs of estimating and project management while also improving his soft skills. “I can see my progress with how much my role has evolved. Each summer, the responsibility builds,” shares Vega. “I went from managing one project my first summer, to eight projects the next, and even more now.”
While his fingerprints are on many Kent projects, one stands out to Vega – Cedar Springs Beach Elementary. The project took two years to complete because work slowed down when school was in session. But it was perfect for Vega, who was able to pick it back up when summer came around. Featuring 28,750 SF of 5” sidewalk, 1,000 LF of maintenance strip, 40 LF of ADA plates, and 3,544 LF of curb and gutter, this was the first project he managed. Beren’s put it this way, “As his internship continued, he was given more responsibility over this project. It was a proud moment for all of us when this one crossed the finish line.”
From summer interns to life-time employees, we give our employees opportunities and resources to grow. All they need to do is take it. Do you want to join a team that’s invested in your success? See our open positions.
