Start your career with a team that puts people first, honors integrity, and digs deep to solve challenges. By joining the nation’s leading concrete contractor, you’ll have the opportunity to help influence, shape, and impact monumental projects from day one.
“Baker saw potential in me — and gave me the chance to prove it.”
Meet James Wellbrock, Baker Construction Project Manager in Austin, TX
James interned with Baker while studying civil engineering — and was trusted with real responsibility right away. From running morning meetings to filling in for a project engineer, he proved early that he could handle the pace. After joining full time in 2016, he quickly moved into a project manager role and continues to take on complex work with confidence.
Why did you choose a career in construction?
I always had an interest in structures. I went to school at Texas Tech University to study civil engineering. But through my internships with Baker, I discovered that I enjoy the field side of structures way more than the design side.
How did you come to work for Baker?
I interned with Baker during the summers of 2014 and 2015. I saw how much Baker is willing to challenge you and let you grow. That is exactly what I wanted coming out of school. I wanted to learn as much as I could and progress. I joined Baker full time in 2016 as a project engineer, and by 2019 I was a project manager.
Share a little about your Baker internship. How did it prepare you for your career?
Baker taught me to be prepared to take the next step. I showed up on my first day in a nice button-up shirt, and shortly after our morning meeting I learned I would be helping the wall crew strip panels out in the mud. By the end of that summer, I was placing concrete orders and running site-wide morning meetings. In my second summer as an intern, the project engineer on our project quit, and the project manager trusted me to take over his responsibilities.
Tell us a little about what you enjoy most at Baker.
There is always something new. Every day. It never gets boring. On one of my recent projects, we added six floors to an existing hospital in downtown Austin, Texas. You cannot shut down an existing hospital, so we had to work through the challenges of building cast-in-place decks on top of an operating hospital. With much planning and coordination, we were able to complete the project early. It was one of the smoothest projects I have ever been a part of.
What advice do you have for future interns?
Always look to put more on your plate. There are times as an intern where work can be slow. Take advantage of those opportunities and ask your project manager or superintendent to give you more. If there is something you don’t understand, ask about it. There are many people at Baker who are willing to help. More importantly, it shows everyone that you are hungry to learn and grow, and that goes a long way.
Why is Baker a great place to start your career?
If you want to join a company that will help you advance, then Baker is right for you. You will learn more in the field than you ever will in the classroom. Baker will give you the assistance you need to understand all aspects of construction.
Take your ambitions to the next level.
Be more, gain more, and achieve more with a company that is grounded in the values of People, Honor, and Grit.
At Baker, you’ll find more than a job. Here, you get to touch projects, set your own path, and work with a diverse group of co-workers who support, protect, and encourage each other like family. You’ll be be part of a team that lives by the Golden Rule, prioritizes your training and development, and gives you real responsibilities to unleash your potential. And if you have grit and tenacity, you’ll have the freedom to accelerate your career — on your terms.
