JKC Interns Go Back to School after a Summer of Digging Deep into the Construction Industry
At John Keno & Co. (JKC), our summer internship program provides aspiring construction professionals with hands-on experience in the world of excavation, demolition and site preparation.
As a third-generation, veteran-owned company with deep roots in Chicago’s construction industry, we understand the importance of helping to develop the next generation of talent. Our summer internship program offers promising college students firsthand experience in the field and office.
As they prepared to head back to school where both are pursuing construction related degrees, summer interns Nick Fiore and Rocio Cortes shared some thoughts about their summer experience working with the JKC team.
Nick Fiore: Embracing Fieldwork & Team Learning
For Nick Fiore, an operations field Intern working on his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and management technology at Purdue University Northwest, the summer at JKC was spent working closely with JKC’s seasoned operators and laborers on job sites throughout the Chicago area.
“I spent 90% of my time in the field interacting and learning from the field guys,” Fiore recalled. “Talking to the operators and laborers who have been in this industry for years was definitely the highlight of my internship. They have so much knowledge about the construction world.”
Fiore was also involved in project documentation, daily reports, and helped establish an internal social media platform for the JKC community.
Reflecting on his summer as he prepared to begin his senior year, Fiore advises future interns to “focus on building a strong foundation of skills and knowledge in your chosen field and always be open to learning new things.”
Rocio Cortes: Navigating the Data & Tackling the Estimating Process
Rocio Cortes, a sophomore at Purdue University Northwest also pursuing a degree in construction engineering and management technology, worked as an estimating intern, gaining firsthand experience in the art and science of estimating work. Cortes began with on-site learning and observation and followed up with meticulous data analysis back in the office.
“Starting off by going to all the projects, I was creating daily reports on the jobsite. It was amazing getting to see the process of excavation from start to finish,” Cortes wrote of her experience.
In the office, Cortes’ tasks ranged from annotating plans to verifying precision in measurements and data entry. She credited the supportive culture of the JKC team. At JKC, new team members are treated “like family,” Cortes wrote. “Every worker I came across was welcoming, kind, and accommodating.”
Cortes also shared advice for other students. “Don’t be afraid to start something new. It is okay to be confused about what path you want to take. Everyone has their own way of life and goes at their own pace.”
A Culture of Integrity, Innovation & Teamwork
At John Keno & Company, we take great pride in the dedication and effort of our summer interns. We are thankful for the chance to impart our knowledge, values, and industry experience to the future leaders of the construction sector.
The JKC internship program is available to college students studying civil engineering, construction, business, or related fields. It provides supervised experience across a diverse range of responsibilities, such as:
- Quantity takeoffs
- Subcontractor and material tracking
- Project reports
- Correspondence
- Submittal Compilation
- Surveys/layout
- Blueprint reading
Building Landmarks & Careers
As the excavation division to many of Chicago’s top general contractors since 1973, JKC provides world class site preparation, excavation, structural earthwork , demolition, utility construction, and shoreline restoration for projects that include many of the city’s most prominent landmarks. We’re just as proud of the role we’ve played in helping to build careers.
Contact us to learn more about JKC’s internship opportunities and how we’re shaping the next generation of industry leaders.