A version of this article was originally published in the research journal Modern Casting in its December 2024 issue.
In the hands-on world of manufacturing, textbooks alone can't provide the full picture—real-world experience is essential for developing expertise and encouraging innovation. For both students and manufacturing companies hoping to secure talented employees in the future, internships bridge the gap between classroom theory and hands-on application, pushing limits and enabling creative problem-solving. By integrating internships into their operations, manufacturing companies foster a continuous cycle of learning, adaptation and improvement that drives innovation forward in the industry. Eagle CNC is committed to shaping the next generation of manufacturing professionals by providing practical experience and fostering essential, real-world skills through its internship program.
Eagle CNC's approach to internships is designed for long-term development, allowing interns to build their experience gradually and later specialize in their area of choice. The goal is for interns to stay with the company throughout their college education. Typically, they begin after their second year and work during summer breaks for 3-4 years. This long-term commitment provides interns with exposure to all aspects of the real work environment and a gradual transition to focused departments and live projects, complementing what they're learning in school.
To gain insight from an intern's perspective, we spoke with Rob Norton, an engineering student who is entering his junior year, about his experience at Eagle CNC.
Rob is a stable figure these days in the engineering department, essentially acting as the lead engineer’s assistant. But when he first joined, he explored different areas in the shop to get a holistic view of all the plant processes and really view the industry from the inside out. “For my first month and a half to two months, I spent a week in each different department learning and getting to know the people in that department doing the job,” Rob reflects. “I started off at production and then I went to the quality lab, then to the tool room, I went to maintenance, and then I went to engineering.” For the past two months or so, he’s been focused on engineering full time. “It was originally a plan to end up in engineering because that’s what I’m going to school for. It worked out that’s also what I enjoy.”
Eagle CNC aims to ensure that interns not only gain valuable skills, but also that they enjoy the process. As Jason Clark, President of Eagle CNC, explains, “Interns step through all of the plant processes so they get a chance for exposure to everything. That way they know whether they like it or don’t like it. A lot of times, I've seen students actually change their fields based on what they learn.”
Engineering degree programs strongly recommend that students complete multiple internships to help shape their career development. “It just makes them stronger,” says Jason. “They're getting to see practical applications. In school, it's mostly theory.” Through the internship program, “You come to the actual industry, you get to touch parts, move machines, and see automation.” The training and skills interns learn directly complement classroom education. As Jason explains: “Hopefully, as he goes back year after year, he's one of the strongest in his class, showing that we actually trained him.”
Rob agrees that the experience is preparing him for a smoother transition into the workforce after graduation. “You definitely don't learn in school what it takes to be out on a shop floor or what it takes to run the real applications of these software. You learn the ideas behind them, but you don't really get to see them in practice and in use. It's really nice to take the knowledge I did have from school and learn what it takes to apply it to something real.”
Manufacturing internships play a crucial role in the transition from student to professional. By involving interns in live projects and partnering them with experienced manufacturers, they receive hands-on training in various job functions and gain valuable day-to-day industry insights that serve as the next step in their career progression. This industry-related experience, gained through internships, can help set candidates apart in a competitive job market (1).
Rob’s experience aligns his strengths and interests with the company’s needs. As an intern, he learned the ins and outs of operating a CNC machine, including managing breakdowns, cleaning tools and performing maintenance. He gained skills in diagnosing machine issues and ensuring quality by checking parts against standards. He also learned to use specific CAD/CAM software, including SolidWorks and WorkNC. “It’s a lot of learning,” admits Rob, but these real-world experiences that internships offer are essential for preparing students to enter the workforce.
At the end of the internship program? “The goal is to hire them,” says Jason.
According to NACE research, 80% of employers view internships as the most effective method for sourcing future employees (2). Investing in internship programs as a long-term strategy helps companies cultivate talent, drive innovation, and meet their specific needs while shaping interns in a way that aligns with the company's values and grooming them for long-term roles.
Here are five benefits that companies gain by investing in internship programs:
Interns can develop strong CAD and CAM software skills, allowing them to create fixture drawings and serve as valuable CAD/CAM resources. This frees up lead engineers to focus on other tasks.
Interns bring fresh insights and a new mindset to the workplace. Their presence energizes organizations, offering fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to existing challenges, which helps drive innovation.
Recruiting interns offers a cost-effective way for companies to access top talent (3). Hosting a recurring intern allows companies to evaluate potential employees over an extended time, gaining insight into their work ethic, values and overall fit for the company. This approach helps companies confidently bring on new members without disrupting the existing team.
Internships provide students with real-world experience, helping them discover fields and specializations they enjoy, and where they can excel. This allows students to better align their future goals. Companies also benefit from a clearer understanding of the intern's strengths and long-term potential.
By offering meaningful internships, manufacturing companies contribute to building the local talent pool across various departments, from production, quality management and engineering to accounting. This investment in the future workforce not only fulfills a social responsibility but also strengthens the foundation for the next generation of manufacturing professionals.
Internships provide many mutual benefits for both companies and students (4). To get the most out of a manufacturing internship program, students and companies alike should be proactive in initiating and participating in internship programs. Here’s our advice from Eagle CNC:
For students: Look for internships that align with your career goals and interests. Before accepting an offer, research the company to ensure their internship program provides meaningful learning opportunities and that their values align with yours. Practical experience, combined with a supportive environment, is invaluable for your career growth.
For manufacturing companies: Invest in the future of your company by designing an internship program that contributes to the long-term growth and success of your organization while positively impacting the lives of young talent. Offer strong learning opportunities, training and mentorship, and embrace the fresh perspectives and innovation interns can bring to your team.
Rob’s advice to fellow students considering an internship: “I would for sure recommend it. Just having the ideas isn’t enough—you need to be able to apply them. Getting internships really helps take your knowledge and move it to the next step, which is what you know you’re going to need to do after you get out of college.”
Eagle CNC is committed to shaping the skills of future manufacturing professionals. We recognize that hands-on experience is vital for professional and personal growth in the manufacturing industry, as well as driving future innovation. By participating in our internship program, aspiring engineers can develop essential skills, contribute to innovative projects, and enhance their resumes, positioning themselves at the forefront of a dynamic industry.
We encourage students in mechanical, electrical, industrial engineering, and CAD/CAM fields to apply for future internship opportunities at Eagle CNC. We are especially interested in cultivating local talent from schools in west-central Michigan. To learn more about our internship program, please reach out to Jason Clark.
References:
(1) Diane Galbraith and Sunita Mondal. "The Potential Power of Internships and The Impact on Career Preparation." Research in Higher Education Journal 38 (2020): 3. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1263677.pdf.
(2) National Association of Colleges and Employers. "Winter 2022 Quick Poll on Spring Recruiting and Career Services." NACE, 2022, https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/trends-and-predictions/winter-2022-quick-poll-on-spring-recruiting-and-career-services/.
(3) Ahva Sadeghi. "How Internships Impact Your Company’s Bottom Line." Forbes, January 5, 2023, https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2023/01/05/how-internships-impact-your-companys-bottom-line/.
(4) Wade Witherspoon. "The Benefits of an Internship." George Fox University Bruin Blog, 2022, https://www.georgefox.edu/bruin-blog/posts/2022/benefits-of-internship-blog/index.html.