NAME: Jordan K. DeGraaf
WORKSITE: Tempe, Arizona – Preconstruction Department
MAJOR: Engineering Sciences, Bioengineering: Mechanical Track
SCHOOL: Harvard University
YEAR: Class of 2016
What drew you to Sundt?
When I was little, my dad built us a house. The construction process enthralled me; I tried “helping” him… first with the blueprints and designs and later with the concrete pouring and hammering. I was ten, so I probably wasn’t exactly an integral member of the construction team, but ever since then, I have wanted see what real construction was like. When I heard about Sundt’s outstanding reputation in the Southwest, its ESOP program, and the friendly employees, I knew I had found the perfect summer internship.
What does a typical day at Sundt look like for you?
I help create bid abstracts, communicate with subcontractors, and assist with various takeoffs.
What have you learned about the real world of construction that surprised you?
I had no concept of how much buildings cost, or how quickly the little things add up. I was shocked when I started working on projects with price tags in the millions, and I was responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How have you benefited by working with a mentor every day?
I have discovered that success in construction is highly dependent on experience mostly gained through trial and error. My mentors have answered an unbelievable number of questions for me, which have made my trials more productive and have prevented me from learning solely through errors.
Best book read recently:
Construction for Dummies
App you couldn’t live without?
Spotify
Favorite quote/inspirational saying?
Live with no regrets. It is so simple I don’t even know who to attribute it to, but it says so much. On one hand, it challenges me to live each day to the fullest. On the other hand, it reminds me that everyone makes mistakes, and dwelling on them is useless.
What advice would you give for the future interns of Sundt?
Be curious. Take advantage of your coworkers’ experiences and ask many questions. The more you know about the company, your coworkers, and your job, the more interesting and formative your summer will be.