Mick Hartz joined Blythe Construction as a field intern in 2013, while earning his degree in Civil Engineering from UNC-Charlotte. Following his graduation in 2017, he began his full-time career as a Construction Engineer, working on the I-485 completion project in northern Mecklenburg County. He has continued to expand his skillset and become an essential member of our construction operations team. Mick talks of the satisfaction of seeing civil construction projects brought to life through hard work and collaboration.

 

Q: What made you pursue engineering?

A: I originally started down the engineering path because my sister was an engineer in the construction world. While I was in high school I had shadowed her at work. At this time she was working with Blythe Construction. After a few days of following her around, I learned that I liked the idea of something on a plan sheet coming to life and being a part of it.

 

Q: What drew you to the civil construction industry over other engineering fields?

A: I chose the civil construction industry because there is a certain satisfaction with seeing a completed project, that you had a hand in helping create, in real life. During my first internship with Blythe I worked with the survey crew on I-485. I am always reminded of these times when I drive over this interstate and it leaves a nice feeling knowing that I contributed to the final product.

 

Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?

A: I believe the most challenging aspect of the job is trying to make sure everything with your project goes according to plan. Unfortunately, there are always changes and issues that arise on the project that need to be worked out. However, I see these challenges less as problems, but more as learning opportunities. Every time that I am presented with an issue I learn from it, so that I will know how to plan ahead for it in the future.

 

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

A: The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to work with all kinds of people with different backgrounds and knowledge. I have learned most of what I know about this industry through speaking with superintendents, foremen, and laborers. I enjoy knowing them and growing as an engineer through working with them.

 

Q: What are your aspirations within this company?

A: At the moment, I am working my way toward being a project manager. I would like to excel as far as possible in the industry to be able to look at everything from a grander level.