Jackson Merkel’s journey with Beckenhauer Construction is a great example of how hands-on experience can shape a career. Over the past two years, Jackson was part of our internship program while attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he earned his degree in Construction Management. Through his time with us, he gained valuable, real-world insight into the industry. We’re proud to now have him on our team full-time as an Estimator.

At Beckenhauer Construction, our internship program is designed to give students a well-rounded understanding of the construction process. Interns have the opportunity to shadow key roles across the company, including a Project Engineer, Project Superintendent, and Estimator. This structure allows them to experience each phase of a project, from coordination and field operations to budgeting and preconstruction, so they can discover where their strengths and interests align.

For Jackson, that experience made all the difference. By working alongside multiple teams, he found his passion in estimating, where attention to detail, problem-solving, and big-picture thinking all come together. His transition into a full-time Estimator role reflects both his hard work and the value of exploring every aspect of the industry.

We’re proud to support students like Jackson as they grow into construction professionals and are excited to see his continued success at Beckenhauer Construction.