Ferris State University students gain valuable work experience through internships. Internships also can confirm or redirect career decision-making, provide marketability, develop people skills and enhance classroom learning. Many academic programs require one, but the experience is encouraged regardless to provide students with a better understanding of what will be expected of them in the workplace.
Many students are participating in myriad internships this summer. Meet: Dustin Joling:
He is: A fifth year senior from Newaygo, Mich., with a B.S. Manufacturing Engineering.
Internship: Joling is completing his internship at Sintel Inc. as an Engineering Intern. “I have been assigned a project that involves the change-over of part numbers on Caterpillar products to be laser etched as opposed to stamping. In turn, this has led to great reviews from customers and ultimately new job offers in the future,” said Joling.
What he is learning: He is working with numerous companies and sections of Sintel such as the Computer Aided Drafting team, Production Engineers as well as Caterpillar and Steelcase. Joling has learned different ways to type and process products, and values his new mindset of manufacturing companies.
What he is involved in: Joling is a member of the Association of Tool Designers, as well as the Spanish Club at Ferris State. He plays Men’s Club Soccer and joins intramural sports whenever possible.
Previous internships completed: In the summer of 2013, Joling completed an internship as a Controls Engineer Intern. “The biggest and most interesting project that I was a part of was with Riveer; where we programmed a pressure washing system for the U.S Military Air Force. I created the display screens to be seen and used by the U.S military,” said Joling.
In the summer of 2014 he completed an internship as an Engineering Intern at Magna Mirrors. “I started out as an operator producing parts within a cell and later accepted a job offer as an Engineering Intern. The majority of the work I was involved in was for the new Ford F 150,250 and 350. I worked alongside quality control as well to ensure that the new products met quality standards,” Joling said.
Why so many internships: “It’s a great way to get your foot in the door, it builds up your resume, and the experience is priceless,” Joling said. Only one of his internships has been required, but by asking for internships at every opportunity, Joling was able to accept a higher paying job and gain insight and management techniques.
His future plans: Joling knows one thing: he wants to get out of Michigan. He has traveled to many places and would like to do some mission trips in Spanish speaking countries. “Ideally I would like to be a Manufacturing Engineer for a guitar company in a Spanish speaking country. That is my dream,” said Joling. He plans to graduate from Ferris in December 2016.