“Nothing’s ever the same. There’s a different challenge to tackle every day — and that’s exciting.”
— Brenden Korte, Project Engineer Intern
Brenden Korte has always been close to construction. It runs in the family, literally.
As a third-generation Korte, he grew up hearing stories from the road: tight deadlines in far-off states, long phone calls with the field while headed to school or hockey practice, big projects in places like Hawaii and Washington. The industry was always nearby. But this summer, Brenden stepped closer than ever before.
Now interning as a project engineer intern, he’s learning what it really takes to build the kind of projects he’s heard about his whole life — the Korte way. From reviewing submittals and O&M manuals to learning how jobs really get off the ground, he’s not just watching, he’s contributing.
Seeing the details behind the big picture
Studying economics at Miami University of Ohio, Brenden’s academic world revolves around data, forecasting and big-picture thinking. But in this internship, he has to get a handle on the real-world details — the kind that make or break a jobsite.
He was surprised by precise construction really is.
“I thought construction was kind of a messy, ‘let’s get this done’ kind of job,” he said. “But it’s actually really detailed and exact. There’s a submittal for everything down to the last detail.”
Brenden keeps those details in check, helping track submittal logs, O&M documents and equipment registries — the under-the-hood coordination that allows a project to keep moving. He admits that some days feel like busy work. But those tasks build a foundation for the project and his work experience.
He’s seen more than his share of things on the jobsite already. In just a few months, he’s been to Atlanta and Las Vegas, with plans to return before summer’s end. Every trip has added a new layer to his learning and a deeper appreciation for what makes each job unique.
What the classroom can’t teach
From day one, Brenden was looking for more than a surface-level experience.
“This summer, I wanted to really dive into the weeds,” he said. “And you don’t get more in the weeds than the project engineer role.”
It’s not always comfortable. Tasks hit his desk that he’s never seen before. Processes that others know by heart are brand new to him. But he’s leaned into the challenge.
“The biggest hurdle is just being okay with not knowing what you’re doing and being willing to ask. You can make a call, or talk to someone in the hall, and people walk you through it. You learn by doing.”
That mindset — being adaptable, open, and ready to respond — fits right in with Korte’s “The Job is the Boss” philosophy. Brenden’s learning that sometimes, the job throws you a curve. When it does, you don’t complain, you adjust.
And maybe that’s the real lesson. It’s about matching the work ethic, the humility, and the willingness to learn from scratch. Brenden knows he’s got more to learn. With a few weeks left, he’s aiming to gain a clearer view of the company’s systems, culture and how they solve real-world problems.
He’s showing up, pitching in and earning his place — not through shortcuts, but through sweat. Because at The Korte Company, internships aren’t just about exposure. They’re about effort. They’re about stepping in, digging deep and finding your way forward one lesson at a time.
