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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cThese on-site experiences provide the students with real-world opportunities to apply the skills we cover in class and learn new skills from professionals in the industry,\u201d said Dr. James Barger, engineering technology instructor at ATC. \u201cThe entire experience lasts two days a week for a total of eight weeks, ending the week leading up to spring break.\u201d<\/p>\n
The students were required to fill out an application, show their professional resume and current high school transcripts, provide a writing sample and be interviewed by company employees.<\/p>\n
Coming from a family of engineers, Koontz was glad to continue the tradition.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up my dad was an engineer, so I\u2019ve always been more interested in working with my hands. Instead of reading about it in a book, I\u2019d rather physically do the work. Internships like this allow a hands-on experience in the workplace to see if it\u2019s really for you,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to think about a job field if you haven\u2019t experienced it before.\u201d<\/p>\n
For senior Carrillo, this opportunity fit well into his academic and career plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSince I\u2019m graduating this year, I was really interested in participating in an internship where I could possibly work after finishing school,\u201d he said. \u201cI plan to apply for the apprenticeship program with IMS Gear. I can really see myself at IMS and looking forward to continuing my work there.\u201d<\/p>\n Of the two IMS mentors the interns shadowed, one was a fellow VBCPS and ATC graduate.<\/p>\n \u201cKnowing that he was in the same place I am right now feels good,\u201d said Carrillo. \u201cMaybe this time next year I\u2019ll be the one mentoring ATC interns.\u201d<\/p>\n Barger hopes that students gain a connection between what they are learning from the curriculum and the actual experiences in the workforce. \u201cThis program is an opportunity for our students to experience what it will be like to be on the job in a field that they have interest in.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott said his time at STIHL has done just that. \u201cThis internship showed me how different the workplace is from school. It\u2019s very different. What I like most is getting to ask questions from someone in the field you are interested in \u2013 on the spot. Asking the people on the line about their experiences help me figure out what I wanted to do in regards to college and what branch of engineering I want to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott and Fritz have been shadowing STIHL maintenance technicians learning about electrical and mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n