STEM Inspiration: Meet John, Electrical Engineer

His face lit up with excitement as he unwrapped one of his presents on Christmas morning. He got one of his very first LEGO® sets.

With giant eyes, he motioned to open to the package but was told to wait until he and his sister finished opening their presents. It was one the longest mornings of his life!

Along with the fun that his first set of LEGO® bricks provided him, John Berglund was also developing skills such as creativity and innovation by figuring out how objects worked together.

John had always been comfortable working with his hands. As a child, he would often fix things with his dad.

“My family didn’t have much money when I was young,” said John. “Everything that broke, my dad and I fixed it together. Everything that needed building we built. The camp we constructed together has continued to provide many family memories.”

His hands-on learning experiences followed him through to college where he earned an electrical engineering technology degree, and a masters of business administration in project management, from Northern Michigan University.

Since 2013, John has worked at Eagle Mine, located in Marquette County, Michigan, as Maintenance Superintendent for the Humboldt Mill. His job is to provide high-level oversite of Eagle’s maintenance and engineering departments, as well as coordinate activities with other departments, contractors, and vendors.

John’s goal is to supply the required tools, information, and resources so his employees can be successful in providing safe, reliable maintenance services to the operation’s department. Something he calls “World Class Maintenance.”

“I am motivated when I have sufficient challenges each day to keep me busy,” said John. “The day goes by fast, and I feel rewarded when I complete those tasks.”

John’s advice for anyone interested in engineering is to perform lots of research before choosing a field.

“Understanding if you can perform and enjoy the job tasks will help determine if you will be happy in the future,” said John. “Also, never be never be afraid to take a chance, take on leadership roles, be the best communicator and listener you can, and always stay busy. This relates to not only engineering but life in general.”

Like John, we want each child to foster their creativity and passion through hands-on learning. We hope to encourage this by giving away more than 100 mining-themed LEGO® sets!

Here’s how you can enter:

"LEGO®is a trademark of the LEGO Group of companies which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site."

Click here to enter our online giveaway to win one of 13 LEGO sets. U.S. Residents only. Must be 18 years or older to enter.

Enter our community-wide giveaway. Look for our metal standing banner in the following locations:

Marquette

• Peter White Public Library (children’s area)

• Eagle Mine Information Center

Ishpeming

• Ishpeming Public Carnegie Library (children’s area)

Negaunee

• Negaunee Public Library (children’s area)

Gwinn

• Forsyth Township Public Library (enter building, turn left)

Michigamme

• Michigamme Township Hall (large meeting room)

Republic

• Republic-Michigamme School Public Library (children's area)

Humboldt

• Jerzi's 41 Bar & Grill (on the right after entering restaurant)

Big Bay

• Cram's General Store (against wall across from cash register)