Baker Group has a record number of interns this summer, working across all business units and departments. Here’s a chance to get to know them:

Daniel Kellen

Business Unit/Department: Mechanical
College: Iowa State University
Year: Junior
Major: Construction Engineering with a mechanical emphasis
Hometown: Nevada, Iowa

Why did you pick Baker Group?
Going back to the career fair last year, I spent quite a lot of time talking with Russ Acton about what Baker Group is all about. At the time, I got the impression the people at Baker Group really care about people; our conversation didn’t seem so much like an interview. It felt like we were just getting to know each other in a casual setting. The atmosphere during that conversation, as well as during my actual interviews, made me feel that you aren’t just treated as a number in a corporation; these people want to build relationships with you. I also respected the fact that Baker Group is regarded as one of the best mechanical contractors in the Midwest, and I knew that if I want to be good at my job and know what I am doing, I should take the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced people in the industry.

What are you looking forward to most about your internship?
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our field guys and getting them the things they need when out on site. I’m excited to be able to see some projects through from start to finish. Being able to get into the finer details on everything that goes into a project.

What do you hope to get out of your summer internship with Baker Group?
To become more familiar with the project management process. Specifically, being able to look ahead on a project and see the big picture to keep things moving forward as best as possible, instead of just being a “task-doer” as things come my way. By the end of this internship, I want to be able to adapt better if problems come up and be able to help the project managers I’m working with as much as I can. Lastly, I hope that I become more comfortable with imperfection — knowing that it’s OK to fail, as long you learn from it.

What are your future plans/goals?
I’m working on finishing my degree at Iowa State, and then I plan to work full time in the construction industry after graduation. My goal is to work toward an opportunity for a full-time position with Baker Group. I also plan on getting certified to become a personal trainer — powerlifting is one of my hobbies outside of work.

Tell us about your family …
My dad, Jeff, served with the U.S. Army/Army National Guard for 34 years, retiring as a CWO 4. He currently works as a project manager with MidAmerican Energy. My mom, Kim, works for the Robert Thomas Dancenter in Ames, Iowa. I have a twin brother, Joel, who currently works as a studio/floor cameraman at WHO 13, and a younger sister, Eva, who teaches dance classes at Robert Thomas.

What do you like to do outside of school/work?
I love to dance. I have been training at Robert Thomas Dancenter for almost 20 years now. My primary fcus is ballet, but I’ve also danced for the competition team, as well as performing several different genres of dance. I help teach partnering at the studio as well. When I’m not dancing, I like to stay active through powerlifting, building furniture in the shop with my dad and doing home improvement projects.

What have you done for fun lately?
I took a trip to Johnson City, Tennessee, with the AGC Chapter at Iowa State. We spent a week doing service projects — new construction and remodel — for homeowners in the area. My group spent the week reroofing a house and building a front deck. Being able to spend time with my friends and contribute to improving someone else’s life was very enjoyable.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I liked being close to the ocean and the easygoing atmosphere in the towns that line the beach. Taking backroads away from town was fun. Walking through Boston was also very cool.

How would your friends describe you?
Dedicated, motivated and down to Earth.

Ashley Falcon

Business Unit/Department: Automation and Controls
College: Iowa State
Year: Going into my third year
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa (originally from South Florida)

Why did you pick Baker Group?
I originally approached Baker Group at the career fair after hearing positive feedback about the company from students within the Construction Engineering program. My interest piqued at the intern interview rodeo during which I got to talk to multiple departments, including the one I am in now. The employees seemed to really enjoy working for the company, and the internship seemed to be a really positive experience.

What are you looking forward to most about your internship?
I am primarily looking forward to getting to know the employees and other interns at Baker Group, in addition to gaining knowledge and technical skills.

What do you hope to get out of your summer internship with Baker Group?
I am hoping to not only accumulate skills relating to automation but also explore what other departments I may be interested in. I also want to get to know the company a bit more, since this internship could possibly be a path to a full-time career with Baker Group.

What are your future plans/goals?
I hope to obtain my degree at Iowa State and then begin working at a company within the same industry. One of my main goals is to be able to work at a company that prioritizes employees’ wellbeing. Outside of work, I would like to eventually have a family and possibly own some of my own land within the region.

Tell us about your family …
I have a mom, dad, a sister and a brother. My sister is 24 and my brother is a senior in high school. I am very close with my family as we have moved around quite a bit and sometimes only had each other until we settled into the community. The reason for us moving so often was related to my dad being in the Air Force. My mom was an accountant but stayed at for most of my childhood due to my dad being deployed often. She is now going back to school for nursing.

What do you like to do outside of school/work?
I really enjoy playing my acoustic guitar and sometimes my ukulele. I also like being with friends, including my two roommates, and family.

What have you done for fun lately?
Not much with finals just finishing up. I have mostly just hung out with friends.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
Probably New Jersey. Most of my traveling has consisted of moving around, so it’s not anywhere too crazy. I was born in New Jersey and my entire dad’s side is there, including my grandparents who we lived with a bit during one of my dad’s longer deployments. It is one of the only places that really feels like home.

How would your friends describe you?
I would say entertaining (hopefully). I tend to be a little odd and will sing and do handstands around the apartment (which I’m sure my roommates love). I very much enjoy joking around and being sarcastic. I am also very empathetic person and like being there for people when they need someone.

Jake Duren

Business Unit/Department: IT
College: Iowa State University
Year: Senior
Major: MIS
Hometown: Osage, Iowa

Why did you pick Baker Group?
I picked Baker Group because of the heavy emphasis on employee relationships and the fact everyone I talked to loves their job here. My manager was extremely polite and positive, and everyone I’ve met within the IT department is amazing as well.

What are you looking forward to most about your internship?
I’m most looking forward to learning more about servers and helping with technology issues, as well as getting to know the IT department and other Baker Group employees. I’m also really looking forward to being a part of a company in which I’m valued much more and treated like a person rather than a number.

What do you hope to get out of your summer internship with Baker Group?
I hope to get more information on tech support and servers, as well as grow my soft skills further (professional interaction, speaking clearly, etc.).

What are your future plans/goals?
My goals for the future are to be anywhere I can work with technology daily in a positive and forward-thinking environment, such as Baker Group. Outside of these goals, there isn’t much else I’d want for me to be truly happy.

Tell us about your family …
My parents are from small-town Iowa, and both work in the medical field in Osage. My mother is a nurse in the wound clinic at Mercy in Mason City; my father is a pharmacist at the hospital in Osage. I have one brother, who is a junior studying Materials Engineering at Iowa State.

What do you like to do outside of school/work?
I love to go to concerts and travel. I also golf and disc golf quite a bit. When I’m not doing these things, I spend a lot of time with my computer, whether playing games or messing around with hardware.

What have you done for fun lately?
Lately, I’ve been going to a lot of concerts in the Des Moines and Minneapolis area, as well as finally getting a lot of disc golf rounds in now that the ground has dried up. I plan to play a lot of golf at Toad Valley Country Club in Altoona this summer as well.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
My favorite place I’ve traveled to is probably either Hawaii or Denver, specifically Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Hawaii because it’s is such a beautiful place, the locals are very kind and the friend group I went with was some of my closest friends. As for Red Rocks, I got to see my favorite artist play two nights there and was able to meet and network with tons of new friends who live in the Denver area.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would most likely describe me as patient, kind, and understanding. However, they would also describe me as a go-getter and someone who is always chasing the next adventure. This is ecially true for travel, as I tend to bring my friends with me on trips I think that will be fun.