Building a Career in Construction: Gage Grams’ Journey from Classroom to Jobsite

At Morcon, we believe every project is built not just with materials and plans, but with the talent, dedication, and growth of the people behind it. One of those people is Gage Grams, a Project Engineer who has been with Morcon for the past year and a half, working on the Terminal 2 North Expansion project at the MSP Airport.

Gage’s path into construction management was influenced early on by his dad, who owned a residential electrical company. “I knew construction was a career field I was familiar with, and I also knew there’s a wide variety of job opportunities in commercial construction,” Gage explains. After graduating from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in Construction Project Management, Gage heard about Morcon through family connections, reached out, and soon found himself part of the team.

In his role as a Project Engineer, Gage supports both the superintendent and the project manager with day-to-day responsibilities. These include coordinating subcontractors, tracking progress, maintaining documentation, and ensuring compliance. “It involves being on site, working with the design team and subcontractors, and having a strong knowledge of the project’s plans and specifications,” he says.

Since joining Morcon, Gage has learned lessons that extend beyond the classroom. “The most valuable thing I’ve learned is handling the sheer amount of communication and coordination required on large-scale projects,” he notes. He’s also been surprised by just how much time and effort go into planning, approvals, and changes before and during construction.

One of the things Gage values most is Morcon’s culture. “Every employee I’ve met has a strong willingness to mentor those with less experience. They’re always happy to answer questions and help navigate challenges,” he says. He credits colleagues Jeff Roerick, Mark Stene, and Jason Nadeau as key mentors who have helped him learn the ropes of commercial construction.

Looking ahead, Gage is focused on strengthening his skills in Microsoft Project and growing his scheduling expertise to create plans that keep projects efficient for clients and crews. He ultimately aspires to grow into a Project Manager role. His advice to students or recent graduates considering a career in construction? “It’s a great career path with a wide variety of jobs. The best way to learn is to put yourself in an uncomfortable position—one you’re not familiar with—so you can expand your skillset.”

At Morcon, we’re proud to support team members like Gage as they launch and grow their careers in construction.