2022 News

Intern Spotlight

Intern Spotlight
08.08.2022

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:

Julia Austin

Business Unit/Department: Sheet Metal
College: Iowa State University
Year: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Coralville, Iowa

Why did you pick Baker Group?
I picked to spend my summer with Baker Group because of the genuine conversations I had with everyone I encountered, first at the career fair and when I came for a tour of the building. I could tell from the get-go that Baker Group is passionate about the work it does and about creating a culture where employees are excited to come to work each day.

What are you looking forward to most about your internship?
I am most looking forward to getting out into the field and getting the opportunity to learn from people with a variety of different backgrounds and perspectives.

What do you hope to get out of your summer internship with Baker Group?
I hope to get a better understanding of the responsibilities of a project manager and develop lasting relationships with professionals in the industry.

What are your future plans/goals?
I will be heading back to Ames this fall to finish up my final semester at Iowa State and graduate in December.

Tell us about your family…
I have two older sisters, Taylor and Sabrina, and my parents, Jon and Sheri. All five of us attended Iowa State and are big Cyclones fans.

What do you like to do outside of school/work?
I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, being outside and baking.

What have you done for fun lately?
I have kicked off my summer by spending time helping my sister with some landscaping while hanging out with her two dogs, Ashley and Louis.

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
Florida. I love the beach and have traveled there with friends and family in the past.

How would your friends describe you?
I think my friends would describe me as caring and hardworking. I like to stay busy but also have fun!

Damien Henry

Business Unit/Department: Electrical
College: Iowa State University
Year: Senior
Majors: Concurrent BS in Electrical Engineering and MBA
Hometown: Blockton, Iowa

Why did you pick Baker Group?
I chose Baker Group because of the people who work here and the culture the company keeps. It is hard to miss the Baker Group vans in and around the Des Moines area, so as an engineering student interested in construction management, it made a lot of sense to look at Baker Group. I was thoroughly impressed with the kindness and enthusiasm of all those I was able to meet throughout the interview process. So when the offer came, I couldn’t say no!

What are you looking forward to most about your internship?
I am most looking forward to learning more about the construction industry and what it entails. I do not come from a construction background, so this is new territory for me. However, I am really looking forward to learning everything I can and working with the other interns.

What do you hope to get out of your summer internship with Baker Group?
I hope to not only grow my knowledge in engineering and construction, but I hope to also grow as a person and a leader. This will be the toughest management-style work I have done to date, so I am really looking forward to the challenge.

What are your future plans/goals?
After completing my degrees, I would like to have a career in engineering management. I am passionate about engineering, but I am also really interested in leadership and management. I believe these positions are a great way for companies to bridge gaps between their services and their clients, so you get the best of both worlds. Additionally, those in leadership positions can play a big role in a company’s success, so it is important for them to develop healthy and supportive environments in the workplace. I understand this is no easy task, so I am excited to take it on. Much later down the road, I would like to pursue a master’s or a doctorate degree in electrical engineering and return to academia as a resource for young engineers like myself. I am very grateful to have had many great mentors and professors throughout my time at Iowa State, and I would not be here without them. I feel it is important for those who can to pass on the love!

Tell us about your family …
My family is the sole reason I’m able to be in the position I am. I am very blessed to have been born into such a loving, supportive family. Whether it has been school, sports or other personal interests, my family has supported and loved me every step of the way — through thick and thin. I am so thankful to have such a great supporting cast. They have allowed for so much personal growth throughout the years and continue to challenge me to be better every day!

What do you like to do outside of school/work?I love to spend time with my family and friends. Currently, I play a ton of golf and video games in my spare time. They are a great way for me to spend time and connect with my loved ones doing things we can all enjoy. I also enjoy going to the movies. My girlfriend is a self-proclaimed movie critic, so I really enjoy keeping up with the latest releases and hearing what she has to say!

What have you done for fun lately?
I actually just got back from a study abroad program in Italy. It was a half semester course at Iowa State, followed by a 2½-week excursion to Italy to continue the course at Polictecnico di Torino, a university in Turin, Italy. In addition to the course, we took a ton of time learning about the culture in Italy and even got to spend a night in a culinary course on how to make some traditional Italian dishes. It was my first time out of the United States, so the entire experience was incredibly fun and eye-opening for me. If not for my internship, I may not have come back!

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to? Why?
For my 21st birthday, I took a vacation with my family and girlfriend out to Monterey, California. It was my favorite vacation to date, filled with a ton of great memories and stories to remember. My dad and I were able to play Pebble Beach Golf Links while there. It was an experience I will never forget. My love for golf came from my dad, so it means a lot to me that I was able to share that memory with him.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as a fun-loving person. I enjoy a very large number of various activities, so I can have fun with just about any group of people you could find! I have a hard time saying no!

About Baker Group

Baker Group is a commercial and industrial specialty contractor based in Ankeny, Iowa. With more than 1,100 employees, Baker Group is the Midwest’s premier full-service specialty contractor providing mechanical, industrial, sheet metal, electrical, building automation, process automation, security systems, fire alarm systems, parking/revenue controls and 24/7/365 service. For more information, call 855.262.4000 or visit www.thebakergroup.com.

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