“I was looking for an internship to get some practical experience that would prepare me for the workforce. What I found at Kinze was a program that offered me much more and an environment that allowed me to develop and apply new skills that would have been impossible to achieve in a classroom setting. The challenges I faced and the responsibilities I was given exceeded anything I had ever imagined. It has been a tremendous learning experience.
Mike Green, Manufacturing Engineering Co-op
Mechanical Engineering Major at the University of Iowa
Class of 2014 (December)
During the past decade, Mike Green – and roughly 100 other top-echelon college students – have enrolled in what has become a very popular and highly acclaimed co-op program at Kinze. Those invited to participate perform critical tasks on key projects within a fast-paced four- to six-month timeframe. They work with state-of-the-art equipment/technologies in a learning environment that’s very stimulating and challenging. And they get involved – almost immediately – in several project-driven, team-building opportunities as they work side-by-side with experienced professionals in their field of study.
Mike has been on a fast-track ever since he entered the program (with the class of January, 2013). “I never dreamed I would be this engaged this quickly and have this much responsibility,” said Mike. “I’m working with state-of-the equipment and processes in all phases of manufacturing; these are projects that can potentially have an immediate impact at Kinze. And I’m making presentations (on what I have learned) directly to top management. The co-op program has given me a huge jumpstart on my career. I can’t imagine getting this type of hands-on experience anywhere else.”
Today, Mike is a senior at the University of Iowa and he continues to work part-time at Kinze while earning additional credits towards his Mechanical Engineering degree. He graduates in December.
Interested in learning more? Kinze is currently recruiting for Spring-Summer Co-ops for 2015. Check out our Kinze Co-op Program page to see what we have to offer.