Posts Tagged ‘interns’

Behind the Scenes of Egan Company’s Mentorship Program

Friday, August 22nd, 2025

Building Connections, Careers, and Confidence from Day One

This summer marked a milestone for Egan Company’s  internship experience: the official launch of a formal Intern Mentorship Program. While Egan has long supported interns through hands-on learning and real-world exposure, this new program added a structured layer of connection, guidance, and professional development from day one.

Each intern was paired with a dedicated mentor outside of their direct business group—ensuring a fresh perspective and broader understanding of the Company. These mentor-mentee relationships served as a consistent point of support throughout the summer, fostering open dialogue, honest questions, and space for meaningful career conversations.

Over the course of the program, interns and mentors met for at least four dedicated touchpoints, whether over coffee, lunch, or a casual check-in. Beyond those scheduled moments, interns were encouraged to reach out to their mentors at any time—to talk through a project, ask for feedback, or simply gain insight into the industry. “Having a mentor made this summer at Egan a lot more personal,” said James DeZurik, an IT Programmer Intern. “It was nice to have Jeph to talk to every couple weeks, regardless of what the topic was.”

Because mentors were intentionally chosen from outside of each intern’s business area, the conversations often bridged different disciplines. For some, this meant learning how to connect across unfamiliar roles or technical areas—something Jeph Novak, Business Development Specialist, saw as an opportunity.

“We both come from different backgrounds—he’s on the IT/programming team and I’m on the marketing team—so we had to figure out what those conversations looked like, and I needed to be deliberate in how I approached them,” Novak shared. “I realized I didn’t need to have all the answers, or even fully understand the details of his projects, to offer support, encouragement, and a listening ear. Those conversations helped me reflect on my own role and how I can be a better leader and teammate.”

The guidance and relationship-building paid off. Through their regular conversations, DeZurik found not only a sounding board—but actionable takeaways he applied during his internship.

“Something that I felt reiterated through our talks was to take initiative—whether that be in getting work done, asking questions, or just helping out when needed,” DeZurik said. “Putting that advice into action a couple times during my internship was fulfilling.”

The Intern Mentorship Program is more than just a summer add-on, it’s a reflection of Egan Company’s ongoing commitment to supporting future talent. By combining mentorship with hands-on learning, the program helps bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and career readiness, empowering interns to take their next steps with confidence and clarity.

Investing in the Future: Egan Welcomes Reily, New Electrical Intern and LSW Graduate

Tuesday, June 24th, 2025

From a spark of curiosity in high school to a full-time internship and a fully sponsored college education—Reily Islas Vasquez’s journey into the industry is just getting started, and Egan is proud to be part of it.

Islas Vasquez’s interest in electrical construction was first ignited in high school, where he participated in a project building a shed. “It was when we did the electrical that I got into it,” Islas Vasquez recalled. “We connected electricity to this one light bulb. But it just fascinated me. I don’t know why.” That one light bulb became the moment that lit the path toward his future in the industry.

Seeking to explore this passion further, Islas Vasquez applied for an opportunity with Lake Street Works (LSW), a workforce readiness program that equips youth with technical and life skills to pursue careers in construction. Throughout the program, Egan supported LSW through a multi-year partnership that included mock interviews, internship prep workshops, facility tours, and mentorship opportunities—efforts that are all part of a larger goal to invest in the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Islas Vasquez stood out in his cohort. His hard work and promise earned him LSW’s Golden Hammer Award, a recognition given to standout students who show exceptional commitment to their craft.

After graduating from LSW this past spring, Islas Vasquez started as a full-time electrical intern at Egan Company. “I was really excited—really happy. I felt blessed,” he shared. “There were a couple other companies that wanted to interview me, but I feel like I had the most connection with Egan since we came here.”

But that’s not where his story ends. With the support of Wallin Education Partners, Islas Vasquez is enrolling at North Hennepin Community College in the Construction Management & Supervision associates degree program, —a two-year path that combines classroom learning with real-world experience. Through the collaboration between Egan, LSW, and Wallin, Islas Vasquez’s education will be fully funded.

This opportunity is the result of thoughtful collaboration and shared commitment. “We are excited to see the culmination of our partnership with Lake Street Works at work with Islas Vasquez as he closes the chapter on his high school education and LSW experience and begins a new chapter at North Hennepin Community College,” said Brian Harren, Vice President of Electrical Solutions and Prefabrication. “During his internship, we look forward to providing hands-on work experiences that parallel and amplify Islas Vasquez’s studies, in order to ensure his future success in the industry as well as growing a talented employee.”

Egan’s partnership with LSW is more than just community outreach—it’s about shaping strong, sustainable career pathways and creating real opportunities for young people like Islas Vasquez. This isn’t just a win for one student. It’s a glimpse of what’s possible when companies, schools, and nonprofits work together to build a better future—for individuals, for the trades, and for our communities.

An Inside Look at Egan’s Recent Summer Internship Experience

Sunday, September 25th, 2022

Developing the next generation of the workforce

Ever wondered what a summer looks like as part of Egan’s internship experience? We’re peeling back the curtain to give you an inside look at all that our interns did this summer. Back in full swing this year after two years of remote work, we welcomed 11 interns this summer.

Bridging the company, interns worked on projects within Egan’s Service, Industrial Controls, IT, HR, and Southern Minnesota teams. Within their teams, interns were mentored by coworkers, completed projects, participated in meetings, and were integrated into the flow of operations. 

A few events hosted for our intern group included:

  • Kick-Off Breakfast: Interns were welcomed by our leadership team and provided with an overview of all things Egan.
  • Coffee and Career Conversations: Egan’s Senior Leaders provided their best tips and advice for entering the workforce as a professional.
  • Jobsite Ride Along: All of the interns spent a half day visiting different job sites, learning about Egan’s culture of safety while seeing our business in action.
  • Resume Workshop: Members of the Human Resources team reviewed the interns’ resumes and provided them with their expertise on setting yourself apart in an ever-active job market.
  • Capstone Presentations: At the completion of the program, all interns were able to deliver a presentation sharing their experience and takeaways from being an intern.

Always a bonus to the accomplishments and skills built with the Egan internship experience is new bonds and friendships made. Programmer Intern Jorge Mancilla, stated “My biggest takeaway from interning at Egan was how important it is to build meaningful connections with the people around you. Learning the actual job isn’t too hard when you have experienced professionals mentoring and guiding you whenever you have questions.”

Interested in pursuing an internship with Egan? Visit https://www.eganco.com/careers/ to watch for any openings!