An Intern's Journey Through Mortenson
Learning construction has me loving it more and more every day and this internship definitely helps with that!
Internships are essential because they provide real-world experience and help bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. They also offer valuable opportunities to build industry connections and discover personal strengths and interests.
Third year construction management student at Purdue University and current Mortenson intern Emir Apaydin has applied his knowledge and begun to see how it translates to the real world of construction. With three separate internships under his belt with Mortenson, Emir sat down with Senior Project Manager, Alex Borton, to share what he’s learned and the experiences that are shaping his path forward.
So, we asked him...
What have you learned about cleanroom protocol and the semiconductor industry during your time here?
What I’ve learned is just how important semiconductors are and how complicated it is to build them. The process is incredibly complex, involving countless steps and procedures. Semiconductors are now essential to almost everything in modern life, which wasn’t the case fifty years ago. I’ve also gained valuable knowledge about the construction side of the industry, especially within clean rooms—like installing walls, different fan units, and various filters. Learning about these technical aspects has been both rewarding and educational for me.
I think Mortenson does a really solid job of giving interns a real chance to learn. One of the biggest reasons I keep coming back is honestly the people—everyone's just really great to work with.
Carpenter General Foreman, Jim Luebke, for example, was super helpful. He took the time to explain things like, “Here’s how you should look at this,” or “This is how it’s going to be applied on the job.” That hands-on guidance really helped me build that skill.
I've also grown a lot when it comes to people skills—just talking with our craft team and collaborating more confidently. And I’ve gotten way better at digging into the details, whether it’s reviewing drawings or working in Procore.
How has this internship influenced your career goals or your interests in construction?
So, every internship I’ve done with Mortenson has been with a different operating group, which I’ve really appreciated. I look at internships as a chance to explore the different types of work a company does, and since Mortenson is such a big company, it’s been able to offer that kind of variety.
I’ve always wanted to get into newer, more innovative areas of construction—not just the typical buildings or parking structures people usually think of. What I really like about Mortenson is that they’re involved in everything from niche, specialized projects to cutting-edge stuff. They’re not afraid to be pushed into new territory.
For example, I got to work on battery storage—technology I’d never seen before. Same with data centers. Now, I’m working on a project connected to Mortenson’s advanced manufacturing work.
This internship has been a big shift for me—just learning the ins and outs of construction: the cleanroom procedures, the day-to-day site stuff, seeing how things come together. It’s been a solid learning experience all around.
What advice would you give to future interns working on similar projects?
That’s a great question. I’d say the biggest thing for anyone starting an internship is: ask questions. I mean, you could probably back me up on this—I asked a lot of questions. And that’s okay! If you’re stuck or unsure, people are here to help.
But I’ll be honest—something I didn’t do well at first was figuring out when to dig a little deeper on my own. There were times I asked questions that I could’ve answered myself if I had just taken a few more minutes to look. That’s one thing this internship really helped me learn: when to pause, look through the drawings or project info, and see what I can figure out before going to someone. And my peers really encouraged that. Like, "Check the drawings first, look at the details, and if you're still not sure, then ask."
So now I try to ask more specific questions. That shows you're thinking through things and trying to grow.
Another piece of advice I’d give is to talk to the craftworkers. That’s a huge part of learning how construction really works. You can look at drawings all day, but construction isn’t just about plans—it’s about people.
Honestly, a quick “Hey, how’s your day going?” or a little positivity goes a long way. Construction impacts people’s lives, and if you show up with the right attitude, it helps create a good vibe on site. That kind of culture—where people feel respected and seen—makes everyone want to do their best work. And I think that’s something Mortenson really emphasizes, too.
So yeah—be curious, be kind, take initiative, and don’t be afraid to dig in on your own before reaching out with questions. That mix of effort and attitude really matters.