Q&A with Project Manager Max Wilson
As a project manager, what does a typical week look like for you?
Safety is woven into everything we do at Sundt, so to start off the week we always conduct a sitewide safety meeting where we discuss relevant safety topics. We also take that time to check in with the crew and make sure everyone is okay and has what they need to be successful.
I’m also in a lot of meetings with the owner, engineers and key stakeholders. We want to keep them in the loop and invite collaboration. Each week has a lot of recurring events, but no two days on a jobsite are really ever the same. For example, this week we had a new intern start, so I just got done having lunch with him and will show him around the site. There’s something new and exciting every single day.
Did you grow up wanting to pursue construction? Walk us through how you ended up in the construction industry.
I grew up in southern Idaho in a small farming community. My dad was always picking up side jobs from building homes to roofing projects – a little bit of everything. After I graduated high school, I dabbled in residential construction building custom homes. I enjoyed working with equipment and tools and seeing projects evolve from design to completion. I also really love the outdoors, so I pursued a degree in natural resources thinking I would go into something like forestry or become a park ranger. But when I spoke with practicing professionals, they stressed that it could be difficult to make a living in that industry.
Coming from a community where a lot of my neighbors struggled to get by and often had to work two to three jobs just to make ends meet, I didn’t want to end up in a position where I couldn’t adequately support myself and my family. I wanted a fulfilling career and personal life. When I got married, my wife and I moved to Arizona where I started my construction management degree at Northern Arizona University. It turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.
Since you had explored other career paths, was there a defining moment that made you realize construction was the right path?
I had an opportunity to work on a water treatment plant in Chandler, Arizona. I began having these moments where I was presenting in meetings and I’d think, ‘Oh wow, I know exactly what I’m talking about.’ I was so familiar with the scope of work and could answer any and all questions with ease. I realized I was at the point in my career where I felt fully confident in my experience and knowledge. It was also an assurance that I was exactly where I belonged.
Speaking of defining moments, were there any defining projects that shaped your career and pushed you further?
I’ve gained new experiences at my current project, the Salt Lake City New Water Reclamation Facility, a joint venture with our partner PCL Construction. We had some organizational changes right off the bat, and I needed to step up and help take charge on the Sundt side. But, those sink or swim moments where you’re pushed past your comfort zone are the most valuable in helping you advance in your career.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the construction industry?
Take the time to explore all the options you can. Whether it’s an internship or jobsite tour to simply online research, really do the work to see what’s out there. The construction industry has so much depth to it that I only started to uncover after years in the field. Most people don’t know just how much variety there is across types of construction and the different departments, from field engineers to marketing, talent development and beyond.
Interested in working at Sundt? Discover your next opportunity on our careers page.
