For Casen Udelhofen, this summer marked another opportunity to grow with JP Cullen. As a returning intern in the Construction Services Division and a Civil Engineering student at UW-Platteville, Casen has spent the past two years building industry knowledge both in the office and in the field. We caught up with him to hear about his experience and the key lessons he’s learned along the way.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
A: My name is Casen Udelhofen, and this is my second summer spent with JP Cullen, specifically the Construction Services Division. I grew up with an interest in construction and am entering my senior year at UW-Platteville, where I am pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.
Q: What did you value most about your time with the Construction Services Division?
A: One thing I have especially valued during my time at JP Cullen is working in the Construction Services Division. This trade-focused division provides mainly out-of-house steel, concrete, and masonry for other general contractors. Being part of this team has been a key part of my learning and has allowed me to become very familiar with the trades JP Cullen performs, as well as their boots-on-the-ground mission that makes JP Cullen unique. Another positive aspect of this opportunity has been the relationships I have built with foremen and trade workers, as we work closely together throughout these projects.
Q: What does a typical day-in-the-life as an intern look like for you?
A: While every project and day in construction is different, there are some several key responsibilities I have taken on while working at JP Cullen. Many of these tasks are office-based, such as pricing changes for updated drawings, building schedules and sequences, keeping track of change work and time-and-material (T&M) activities, and more.
Another important part of the position has been working alongside foreman in the field. This work varies greatly from providing drawings, answering questions, and laying out and marking up material. I have enjoyed assisting both foreman and project managers to help jobs run as smoothly as possible.
Q: Are there any key moments or people that made your internship memorable? How did they contribute to your understanding of the construction industry and your personal growth?
A: Since I started my co-op with JP Cullen in January of 2025, there have been many people and moments that have stood out to me. The first of these would be my project manager, who has taught me so much about the company, industry, and construction process. Along with him would be the foreman I have worked with who were always there to answer questions I had and go the extra mile to teach me all that they could about their trade. Beyond the people, there are many moments that still stick with me. One of these is from last summer, when we set the final piece of structural steel and had a ‘topping-out’ ceremony. This moment was especially rewarding because the steel work on that project had been my main focus and challenge for many months.
Q: What are your biggest takeaways from your time at JP Cullen?
A: Over the course of my time at JP Cullen, I have learned several valuable lessons:
- Every day and every project comes with its own challenges.
- Always be looking ahead of the crew to try and spot problems before they occur.
- Become familiar with construction drawings and use the BIM models to help with this.
- Reach out for help if needed.
- Always ask yourself what you can do to benefit the project and the team and do it.
Interested in joining the JP Cullen team? Check out our open opportunities here or email hr@jpcullen.com.
