Growing With Purpose: Jack’s Journey into Civil Engineering
I knew early on that civil engineering was a good fit for me. I gravitated toward math and science in school, and civil engineering was familiar thanks to my dad’s work in the profession. That early exposure helped connect my interests to a career that felt practical, meaningful, and accessible from the start.
My dad spent more than 30 years as an IDOT engineer, and I grew up watching him come home from night inspections while I was getting back from basketball practice. I didn’t understand the technical side of his job back then, but I understood the pride he took in it. That stuck with me.
Trying Everything to Find My Path
My career so far has been shaped by curiosity. I wanted to see every corner of the industry, so I took four internships, each one completely different.
My first was with Material Solutions Laboratory in Elk Grove, Illinois, where I got my introduction to civil engineering through materials testing. After that, I worked as a traffic intern at the Lake County DOT, which pushed me deeper into traffic engineering. I was inspecting, talking with contractors, and seeing projects come to life. I even spent time with the IA District 1 Survey Crew doing point preservation, ROW locating, and plat production. It was broad, hands-on, and honestly the most fun I’d had in engineering up to that point.
Then came my third internship with Bolton & Menk in Des Moines, and that one changed everything. I worked primarily under Wyatt Klooster and alongside Tanner Neilson during my time there. Tanner was three to four years out of school and also an Iowa State graduate, which made his career path feel realistic and attainable. Wyatt, still early in his career, stood out as a leader, confident, capable, and grounded. Both had expansive engineering knowledge, and I learned a great deal from working with them. Watching Wyatt operate showed me the kind of engineer I want to become, while seeing the opportunities Tanner had already earned made what was possible early in my career feel clear.
Why Milwaukee — and Why Bolton & Menk
When it came time to choose my first fulltime role, I knew I didn’t want to go back to Illinois. I grew up camping in Wisconsin, going to the Dells, and catching Bucks games. Wisconsin always felt like home, even though I wasn’t from there.
Milwaukee offered the perfect balance, close to my hometown, close to friends, and close to family. It all lined up.
What really drew me to Bolton & Menk was the Milwaukee office itself. It’s new, growing, and full of opportunity. I liked the idea of being part of the foundation, helping shape what the office becomes. I wanted to be part of something growing, not just join a team, but help build it.
And the culture sealed it. Real People. Real Solutions. is not just a tagline. I saw it firsthand in Des Moines, especially watching Justin Nickel work with the City of Windsor Heights. He took the time to understand what the community actually needed and tailored solutions to fit those goals. I watched him collaborate closely with Tanner across multiple projects, communicate clearly, and approach every challenge with the client’s best interest in mind. Seeing how intentionally Justin took care of clients made the impact of municipal engineering feel meaningful.
Starting Strong: The Johnson Creek Project
I’m three months into my fulltime role now, and I’m already working on the Johnson Creek Wastewater project. Wastewater is completely new to me, and that’s exactly why I’m excited about it. It’s different from road construction, different from anything I did in school, and I’m learning something new every day.
My dad is thrilled that I’m getting this kind of experience so early. Talking with him about the project brings everything full circle. This project is unique, and getting to work on it so early in my career feels special.
I’m splitting my time between fieldwork and design, which is exactly what I hoped for. I’ve already been to village board meetings as the face of Bolton & Menk for inspections. I love being out in the field, working with contractors, and talking with clients. That’s where municipal engineering shines.
Looking Ahead and Advice for Future Engineers
My internships spanned traffic engineering, materials science, field inspection, and design, with hands‑on experience using Civil 3D, Synchro, and MicroStation on roadway, park, and bridge projects. Being part of a team is a big reason I’m excited about this role. I want to work on projects that genuinely impact communities and grow into someone younger engineers can look up to.
My internships were intentionally diverse, from traffic and materials to design, redlines, and fieldwork. That experience helped me figure out what I enjoy most and prepared me for this next step. Roads are straightforward, but parks, wastewater, and municipal projects are the ones that challenge you and teach you the most. That’s what I’m here for: to learn, grow, and help build meaningful solutions for the communities we serve.
Enjoyed Jack’s story? Check out another Bolton & Menk journey and read about Josh’s leap north.
Jack is a municipal engineering graduate supporting construction inspection services for community infrastructure projects. His professional career beginning in 2026, he assists with observing field activities, documenting project progress, and helping ensure that construction practices align with plans, specifications, and quality standards. His work contributes to delivering reliable municipal systems that enhance daily life for the communities they serve. Jack approaches each project as an opportunity to learn, contribute, and support successful outcomes for clients and project teams. He is passionate about municipal infrastructure because of its essential role in improving everyday life and strengthening the communities around us.