Lance Scholar builds career foundation through major construction internships

Kenzie Jaksha is only two years into her construction management education at Montana Technological University, but the Butte native has already worked on major construction projects at the Los Angeles International Airport and a children’s hospital in San Diego.

A scholarship from the Lance Scholars Program has helped her pursue those opportunities while working toward her goal of graduating with minimal debt.

The program annually provides 50 in-state students with a $4,000-per-year scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years. It was established by Ryan (Petroleum Engineering, ’84) and Lisa Lance as part of the family’s $31 million gift to Montana Tech in 2022.

Jaksha has always been fascinated by skyscrapers and even visited a construction jobsite with her aunt prior to graduating high school, but it took a semester for her to fully commit to making the field her career by switching her major from biology to construction management. During an occupational safety and health class, she met Montana Tech alumnus Dan Hogan, who spoke about internship opportunities with Hensel Phelps. That connection led to her first internship in summer 2025, working on Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.

In summer 2026, she returned to Hensel Phelps to work on an eight-story intensive care unit tower at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. She gained experience in both field and office engineering, including surveying, quality control, requests for information, submittals and change orders.

She also saw how artificial intelligence is being incorporated into the construction industry. Jaksha used Microsoft Copilot to help understand unfamiliar terminology and improve professional writing while emphasizing that AI should support, rather than replace, a person’s work.

“You have to use AI to your advantage,” Jaksha said.

Her paid internship included housing and travel expenses, allowing Jaksha to put away significant savings for college expenses. Combined with her Lance Scholars award, the experience is helping her pay for college while preparing for her career.

Jaksha already has two internship opportunities to consider for next summer and plans to eventually work in commercial construction in the Rocky Mountain region.

“I hope to start my career in the Rocky Mountain region, close to home,” she said.

The Lance Scholars Program is open to eligible Montana high school seniors and transfer students. The application deadline is Feb. 15. Learn more at www.mtech.edu/lancescholars.