Building Careers: Construction team members share look at jobs they love

This article is originally written and published by Jodi Schwan on SiouxFalls.Business.

In a city breaking building records year after year, there are plenty of opportunities to work in construction.

But choosing the right company can make the difference when it comes to how you enjoy your work, how safe you feel on the job and how you’re able to advance your career.

At Journey Group, the company is growing along with the communities it serves, “and so is our need for talented people in almost all areas of our company,” said Jolene Smith, who became human resources director in 2015.

There are career opportunities for all trades and especially the following roles:

• Carpenters
• Concrete finishers
• Concrete foreman
• Construction workers
• Estimator
• Equipment operators
• Field superintendents
• Laborers
• Lean coordinator
• Payroll specialist
• Project managers
• Project engineers
• Project scheduler
• Safety manager
• Summer help
• Truck drivers

“Now is the perfect time to join Journey Group or any one of our three divisions here in Sioux Falls,” Smith said. “There’s an opportunity to learn new skills and develop your career. You can work with other talented people who care about each other and our community.”

What’s it like to work at Journey? It starts with a strong foundation of values.

“Culture means something different for everyone, so we build a culture in a variety of ways. We work hard but still have fun,” Smith said. “Our core values drive our decisions. We value and respect our people and build strong teams and genuine relationships.”

Join the team at Journey and you’re going to find competitive pay and a full benefits package, including paid time off and a wellness program.

But the benefits are bigger than that.

“We put a large focus on safety and on training,” Smith said.

“We invest in you as a person in so many ways, including helping you advance in your career if that’s your goal. Additionally, many of our projects are located close to home, so if you live in the area, you’ll likely be working near your home and helping improve the place you live.”

But we thought you should hear about working at Journey in the words of those in the field, specifically with three of Journey’s divisions located in Sioux Falls: Journey Construction, SFC Civil Constructors and Black-Top Paving.

Here’s an inside look at their experience.

Natural leader

For Journey Construction superintendent Jacob Bruget, entering the building field was likely in his DNA.

“I’ve been in it my entire life as my dad owns an architecture firm in Sioux Falls,” said Bruget, who joined Journey in 2017.

“It was natural.”

What does a typical day or workweek look like for you?

My job consists of being on-site making sure the project is running smoothly, safely and on schedule.

What’s your best work memory?

Some of my best memories are from the Avera on Louise project. It was a complex project with a short schedule and some unique finishes. I enjoyed seeing the atrium of that building come together and seeing everything that went into making it a breathtaking entrance.

What’s the most meaningful project you’ve been able to work on?

The Avera Missouri River Health Clinic. Their existing facility was incredibly outdated, and the updated facility is something that will serve a huge region in Potter County for many years to come.

In construction, you have a lot of options for work. What keeps you at Journey, and what would you say to someone else considering it?

In my opinion, Journey is the leader in the region. I say that for a lot of reasons, including the variety of projects that we get to work on, the people and how everyone treats each other, the compensation and benefits are competitive, and it is a fun work environment.

A bridge to success

As for Derek Thoreson, a bridge welder with SFC Civil Constructors since 2016, working outdoors is one of the best parts of his job – in addition to the feeling of pride he gets when completing his projects.

What does a typical day or workweek look like for you?

Depending on the job, I usually weld or fabricate structural aspects of bridges or various other civil structures.

What’s your best work memory?

It’s hard to pinpoint one specific memory, but the bonds formed amongst co-workers in the field are priceless.

What’s the most meaningful project you’ve been able to work on?

Every project is important, but any bridge I’ve helped fix or build is most meaningful. They help connect people to each other.

In construction, you have a lot of options for work. What keeps you at Journey, and what would you say to someone else considering it?

The people I work with are top-notch craftsmen, teachers and co-workers. Additionally, the atmosphere of Journey is conducive to growth and teamwork. Employees learn and excel in skills that will give them better opportunities.

Family feel

Heading into his third construction season at Black-Top Paving, operator and finisher Mario Negrete knows he made the right decision in accepting a job.

“I chose Journey because it’s local, and when you have a family, you want to stay closer to home,” he said. “It’s also a good company; everyone’s very nice. They treat you like family.”

What does a typical day or workweek look like for you?

My typical workday starts at 6:30 a.m. I get ready and come to work. For concrete, I set the street line for the machine, filling out forms and get everything ready for the day. After work is done, sometimes I’ll take my dogs and go for a bike ride.

What’s the most meaningful project you’ve been able to work on?

Every project I have worked on means a lot to me.

In construction, you have a lot of options for work. What keeps you at Journey, and what would you say to someone else considering it?

Journey knows how to treat people. They think about you when it comes to safety measures. And if you have a problem of some kind, you can talk with your guys and resolve everything fast. For me, it’s a good company — one of the best companies here.

There’s not going to be a disappointment if you come to work for Journey. You’re going to be happy when you apply here. I’ve already gotten one of my friends to apply. And another one starts in two weeks. I told him it’s a good company, a really good company.

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‘More Than Construction’

If you’re looking for even more exclusive Journey Group content, check out “More Than Construction,” a Journey Group podcast about positively impacting lives by building community. Get an inside look at who Journey Group is, what they do and why they do it.

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Link to original article by Jodi Schwan:
https://www.siouxfalls.business/building-careers-construction-team-members-share-look-at-jobs-they-love/?fbclid=IwAR23op058QzltF8WRnLNZyX2sHnvYxTqoQqdFhPj3rx4MlSWRqsxkeVm6DA