Learning Goes Both Ways: How Summer Students Made an Impact

A summer job can be an introduction to a career. It can also be an opportunity to contribute to one.

This summer, students joined us to gain real-world experience across manufacturing, engineering, logistics, purchasing and other areas of our operation. They applied what they were learning in school, learned from experienced professionals and saw how work moves through an active manufacturing environment.

Along the way, they made us better, too. That exchange reflects how we think about growth at our company: there is always an opportunity to improve and find a better way forward.

Turning Classroom Knowledge Into Manufacturing Experience

For one engineering student, the summer meant taking work beyond the computer screen.

Working alongside Dave V. and his team, the student detailed components before following those designs onto the shop floor. He cut and squared material, drilled, tapped and machined components, gaining firsthand experience turning a design into a finished part.

That experience brought new meaning to decisions made during design.

“In the classroom, you’re always taught, ‘Do it this way,’” Dave explained. Once the student got on the machine, he began to understand why certain design choices mattered.

Experiencing both sides connected engineering theory with manufacturing reality and showed how one decision can affect efficiency, consistency and quality downstream.

No part of the work happens in isolation. Understanding how one decision connects to the next process and the people responsible for it helps build a stronger manufacturing operation.

The learning also went both ways. The student helped Dave work through a backlog of details and shared more efficient ways to navigate some of the technology used every day.

Bringing Fresh Eyes to the Work

Colleen B. saw a similar impact from students supporting logistics, purchasing, accounting, HR and other areas. They organized data, documented processes, supported day-to-day responsibilities and applied their technology skills to projects the team needed completed.

“I really like to share skill sets,” Colleen said. “I think everyone brings something to the table.”

Their work contributed directly to the business. Students tackled projects the team hadn’t had time to address, created more visual process documentation and found efficient ways to approach familiar tasks.

That’s continuous improvement in action. Sometimes a better way starts with someone bringing a different perspective to the work.

Their contributions were noticeable enough that, as the summer wound down, team members were already identifying projects they wished the students were still there to help tackle.

Creating Space to Explore Manufacturing

The experience also gave students a broader look at careers in modern manufacturing.

A manufacturing operation brings together engineering, design, machining, skilled trades, logistics, purchasing, quality, technology and many other disciplines. Exposure to those areas helps students understand where their skills and interests might take them.

“We cannot do that enough,” Dave said. “There are a lot of young people out there that have the ability. They just need to have the opportunity to experience it.”

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and try new things, learning alongside experienced team members. At the same time, our people had the opportunity to teach and mentor while engaging their new ideas.

As Colleen put it, “When you have people that are wanting to dig in and work toward something and help out, I think that energizes the rest of the team.”

The students left with practical experience and a clearer view of what a career in manufacturing can look like. We finished the summer with completed projects, fresh ideas and another reminder that investing in people and continuous improvement go hand in hand.

The next generation doesn’t only represent the future of manufacturing. They can make an impact today.

We gave our students an opportunity to learn from us. They gave us an opportunity to learn from them. That’s how we continue to raise the bar.