Ava’s Internship at Henges Insulation: A Journey into the Construction Industry

“I now feel more equipped to pursue a career in the construction industry.” These are the words of Ava, a recent high school graduate and summer intern at Henges Insulation. During her time with the company, Ava not only gained hands-on experience in the field but also contributed significant value to the Henges team. Greg Kudrna, president of Henges Insulation, had nothing but praise for the internship program, highlighting Ava’s exceptional work ethic, initiative and eagerness to learn.

Reflecting on her time with Henges Insulation, Ava notes how much she learned in just a few short months. Kudrna shares, “I was fortunate enough to extend an internship to one of the high school graduates from 2024.” He continues, “Ava spent the summer working for Henges Insulation and provided the highest-level performance I’ve seen in 24 years. Simply an amazing young lady.” These words reflect the incredible impact Ava made during her internship, where she exceeded expectations and brought a fresh perspective to the team.

A goal for Ava’s internship was to gain a well-rounded experience that exposed her to every stage of the insulation process, from the field to the office. That goal was fully realized. Throughout her internship, Ava had the opportunity to spend several days a week out in the field with the Henges Insulation crews, learning firsthand about the technical side of the business. On other days, she worked in the office, gaining experience on the administrative and sales sides of the industry. This balance allowed her to see how every part of the operation functions together to deliver high-quality insulation services to clients.

As a way to reflect on her experience, Ava wrote a paper detailing her time at Henges Insulation. In it, she walks readers through the lessons she learned, starting with her very first week on the job. Ava was particularly amazed by how much she learned about the physical demands of the job and the importance of safety protocols on the worksite. “Not only did I learn important terms about framing and insulation and about the process of building houses, but my understanding of the safety and hard work on the jobsite grew as well,” she says.

One of the more surprising aspects of Ava’s internship was the opportunity to explore the sales side of the business. She had the chance to work alongside the sales team, learning how to assess customer needs by taking measurements and understanding the materials required for specific jobs. She explains that this experience was particularly insightful, as she was able to see how the technical knowledge she was gaining in the field could translate into tangible solutions for clients. “Being able to see how quotes were developed and how customer preferences were incorporated into project planning gave me a new perspective on the construction process,” Ava reflects.

Throughout the internship, Ava displayed a strong sense of initiative, which was recognized by Kudrna and the team. She was quick to ask questions, take on new challenges and apply what she was learning to real-world situations.

Ava’s internship at Henges Insulation was not just a learning opportunity, it was a mutually beneficial experience for both Ava and the company. As she concluded her paper, Ava wrote, “The internship overall gave me so much insight into the residential construction world as a whole. There are many processes, terminology and tasks I learned that will be beneficial to both completing a degree in construction management and in helping me succeed in my future career.”

Ava is in her first year of college, pursuing a degree in Construction Management. Her experience with Henges Insulation has provided a solid foundation that she can build upon as she continues her studies. For Henges Insulation, the internship served as a valuable opportunity to mentor a young individual and see firsthand the impact of investing in the next generation of construction professionals.

Opportunities like Ava’s internship highlight that a successful career in the skilled trades is not only achievable but also rewarding. The hands-on experience and valuable skills gained through programs like this one can pave the way for future success in the construction industry.