Major: Mechanical Engineering
Company: nVent
Location of Internship: Anoka, Minnesota
Internship Title: Operations intern /Manufacturing Engineering Internship
• Why did you choose the company that you work for?
I chose nVent because the Hoffman branch is located close enough to my hometown, so I can live at home and commute to work.
• What were some of the requirements for your internship?
A requirement was basic knowledge of how to operate 3D modeling software. The most common tasks I have encountered so far included modeling in SOLIDWORKS. I also take pictures to create work instructions, and consult with people on the production floor to ensure that what I am designing is actually capable of being realistically manufactured, among other things.
• What is your favorite part about your internship experience?
My favorite part of the experience has definitely been the people. I was worried that the senior engineers wouldn’t trust me with projects and would just give me busy work, but they have given me projects that are important and I have had a chance to create stuff that will be used here for years to come. I was also able to come up to the NDSU career fair this February and help recruit the next round of interns! That’s where this photo was taken
• What is the most challenging part of your internship? How have you overcome these obstacles?
The most challenging part of this experience has definitely been learning the flow of the company. You can’t just design something, make a drawing, and email the drawing to someone on the floor to produce. There is a process to getting things done, and it is different at every company. The best way to overcome this challenge is to just observe and ask questions.
• How did you find your internship?
Through the NDSU Career Fair
• Why was it beneficial for you to register for credit(s) through the Internship Program offered through the Career and Advising Center?
It allowed me to keep my full time student status which allowed me to continue receiving funding from FAFSA in future semesters.
• What advice would you give a student who is in the process of searching and applying for an internship?
Be open to trying anything. Apply to everything you can, and even if you don’t get the internship/co-op the first time, try again next year. I met nVent at the NDSU career fair and applied to this position two years ago, and I didn’t get it the first time, but nVent actually reached out to ME this year asking of I was still interested in the Co-op position.
