Throughout his UNI experience, Brady Hovey has been immersed in the modernization of the Applied Engineering Building (AEB). Not only is he a student in the construction management program, but he is also an intern with Knutson Construction, which has offered him a behind-the-scenes look at the renovation project.

“It’ll be cool to see the building before and after because I started here right when they were starting up on this project and then I'll be finishing here right as they're finishing up on this project,” he said. “It looks a lot better than it did, so it’ll be nice to see it completed.”

The senior came to UNI from Johnston for the construction management program, which is housed in the Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management (AETM). Programs in AETM utilize the Applied Engineering Building for classrooms, technology-enhanced labs and collaborative learning spaces.

“I've always liked working with my hands, so I decided the construction field was the right way to go, and I heard only good things about the UNI construction management program,” said Hovey. “The construction management program here is a really good program. You learn a lot. A lot of it has been valuable to me in the field. I’ll see stuff in the classroom, and I get to apply it out here on the job site. So it's good to see that and how all that kind of ties together.”

Throughout his internship with Knutson Construction, Hovey has helped with submittals, requests for information (RFIs) and scheduling for the AEB modernization. He’s also worked in the field, pouring footings and working on the foundation. 

“I'd say it's really nice to see what you're learning in the classroom be applied in the field,” said Hovey. “It just kind of reassures you because you're never really sure if you have a full grasp on a concept, but then seeing it applied in the field, you're kind of like, ‘Okay, yeah, I've been over this.’”

Hovey’s internship isn’t the only way he’s acquired hands-on experience. His professors also ensure he and his classmates get time touring real job sites.

“While we're learning something, we can go check out a real job site and see how that ties in to what we're learning,” he said.

Although he still has a year of classes left, Hovey is leaning toward working as a project manager, working on the behind-the-scenes aspects of construction. But no matter what direction he ends up going, he is confident his UNI education will create a path.

“I think UNI has prepared me really well,” he said. “I'm ready for anything the job will throw at me at this point.”