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:
Nathan WalkerNathan Walker
He is: from Ortonville, studying Heavy Equipment Technology. Nathan is in his second internship with Michigan Caterpillar’s facility in Novi.
About His Internship/Making a Difference: “In this internship, I am learning several processes that contribute to the success of a mechanic in the heavy equipment field, which are important to the industry overall. Ferris helped me secure my internship by going through what the career fairs look like and how to make the best of them. It has been an amazing experience.”
Future Plans: “I expect to be a mechanic on the shop floor for off-road equipment for at least a couple of years. I am also interested in exploring heavy-duty trucks, rather than equipment, down the road. I believe experience on the shop floor will also be valuable if I get the opportunity to move into management one day. That progression is not my immediate goal since I have plenty more to learn by ‘wrenching.’”
Advice for Students Seeking Internships: “Take part in them and talk to as many company representatives in your field of interest as possible. I believe your initial goal should be to figure out what kind of employees each company is looking to hire, what skills they are looking for, and then discussing what that means for you as an intern. I went into the career fair as a student with arguably limited experience working on equipment when compared to other students, but eagerness to learn can go a long way to landing a great internship.”
Other Activities at Ferris: “I have been involved with the motorsports club at Ferris since I started. I enjoy
any outdoor activities and competitively rode a BMW bike for several years.”
MEET THE INTERNS HOMEPAGE