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Summer Internships: Izaak Smith

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:

Izaak Smith

Izaak Smith

Izaak Smith

He is: A junior from Comstock Park studying Electrical Engineering Technology. “I started in the Fall 2017 and the first few years in the College of Business, in the Information Security and Intelligence program, but later decided to change majors. I am currently on track to graduate in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree.”

His Internship: Working with Eckhart, an automation corporation, at its Walker and Reed City locations.

What are you learning on your internship? “To put it into a word, ‘adaptability.’ I have helped on a large variety of projects. Each one gives me a new opportunity to pick up new skills and flex my problem-solving. It really feels like I ordered a sample platter in the form of an internship.”

Was Ferris involved in securing your internship? “I managed to secure my internship through networking external to Ferris, but my university contacts came in handy, regardless. As I communicated with the company, I learned they had hired several Ferris students in previous years, as both interns and full hires. In fact, the person who conducted my interview had graduated from EEET, which led to a good connection and understanding.”

Izaak’s Advice for Students Seeking Internships: “Talk to everyone. This can happen at the job fairs because you never know what positions businesses need to fill, and every contact helps. Beyond that, chatting with professors and upperclassmen can do wonders. They have already been in your shoes and can act as powerful networking resources.”

Ferris Core Value Izaak Relates to:  Learning. “This internship has been a great opportunity to apply the theory and hands-on skills developed by the EEET program. It is also my first experience in the field. We learn a lot in class, but it is not always clear how these pieces of information will be useful. After my first couple of weeks at Eckhart, it became clear the most important thing is having the drive to understand and the ability to learn. What we learn in the classroom acts as our foundation, leading to skill and understanding, as we develop in our roles outside of school.”

MEET THE INTERNS HOMEPAGE