Building Success: How Mason Bean is Laying Foundations for a Career in Construction Management

dezembro 11th, 2024 /
Spencer Tuinei /
CTE, Notícias, Provo High, Escolas secundárias

For the past few months, we’ve been searching our schools for students to highlight for their work as interns or through concurrent enrollment. This time, we didn’t have to look; district CTE Specialists reached out.

“Mason Bean is a high school senior and an intern for JLR Construction,” one specialist shared. “He’s doing great work. Real work. His construction team really leans on him.”

We had to meet Mason. As it turns out, he’s been doing more than learning construction ins and outs—he’s building bridges with professionals, developing foundational management skills, and crafting a structured plan to continue learning post-graduation. Mason Bean has the blueprint for success.

Mason seems mature beyond his years. Good-natured and personable, he smiles easily and looks you in the eye when he talks— there’s a self-assured quality he’s likely gained from working closely with adults, a fact that he probably isn’t aware of himself.

Originally from Austin, Texas, Mason moved to Provo about three years ago to attend high school. “I’ve loved every second of it,” he says. Provo seems a perfect fit for Mason; whether on the slopes snowboarding, golfing the local courses, or working construction, Mason is active and on the move.

He sees himself here long-term, as his reasons for his internships suggest:

“I wanted to make connections with people around Provo — I really want to get my foot in the door around the community.”

And he has; at JLR Construction, Mason has found the work rewarding. “It’s super fun. We do landscaping, renovate homes, and build houses for people.”

He’s always had an interest in building and renovation, stretching back to his childhood working on household projects with his dad. “My dad likes doing his own renovations and likes doing things himself. So, I was a little helper with those things,” he shared.

At JLR Construction, Mason works directly alongside fellow construction workers, telling us that he’s “done everything that everyone else is expected to do… We went to a couple houses and did some renovations in the attic to help them prep for winter. At another house, we landscaped and worked on a custom rock wall.”

He’s gained hands-on experience in landscaping, tiling, measuring, installing—you name it. But for Mason, the internship offers more than just practical skills.

Through his time at JLR, he’s learned the full scope of construction work, from design to budgeting. “I’ve been able to learn a lot from my dad, but you can’t learn everything at home. The internship is helpful because it covers the business aspect of construction. I’ve learned how they price things, order materials, and track pay. One day, I was in the office, and they showed me how they use spreadsheets to manage materials and payroll.”

Mason has even shadowed the design team. “The design side of construction is cool, too. I spent time with one of the project designers and he showed me how he works, taking me through work calls, and showing me the software they use. It’s similar to CAD like I’ve learned in my classes, but a different program they prefer for architectural design.”

Mason’s coursework, from Woods and CAD to concurrent classes at UVU, has reinforced the skills he’s honing in his internship, setting him up well for future plans:

“This construction internship opened my eyes. I think learning construction management and eventually starting my own business in construction would be super cool. If I can keep ties with the great people at JLR, I can learn a lot. I’m excited for college and really want to understand more of the business side. I love construction; it’s fun, and I’d like to learn how businesses work.”

Mason sees his mentors at JLR as role models. “These guys put themselves through college. Working with them shows me the importance of education, having goals and working hard.”

Mason’s experience has equipped him with valuable technical skills, but perhaps most significantly, the internship taught him about himself:

“Growing up in Texas and moving here showed me how easy it can be to make connections. I can go in and talk to these guys, and then all of a sudden, we have a relationship. You work hard, and next thing you know, you get to have experiences that could change your future. The internship program has been so good to be a part of. I’m so glad I had this chance to work with construction and JLR.”

If you have a good attitude, put in the work, and get off your butt because you’re capable of more than just finishing high school. You can do whatever you put your mind to.”