PROD is pleased to announce the end of its fourth annual GEARS Summer Internship program. Comprised of a cohort of 14 students from local area high schools, this year’s program was a resounding success for both students and PROD staff. The GEARS Internship strives to provide rising seniors interested in STEM-related professions with insight into the real-world application of engineering and technological principles. 

Students were given an up-close view of PROD’s manufacturing processes and were able to experience the entire spectrum of the machine creation cycle, from design to delivery. Students are each provided with a project to work on for two weeks, which is intended to showcase each aspect of the engineering process. 

This wide range of exposure allows students to see and experience the various branches of engineering and consider which fields their skills and interests align with. Students are also provided opportunities to engage with PROD staff in each of our departments, including engineers, management, and technicians. Students are encouraged to ask questions to better understand both the mechanical functions of engineering and the education and experience required to succeed in each field. Students are also assigned a book to read during their internship, intended to showcase the opportunities for growth available outside of school and work. 

The internship concludes with a capstone presentation from each of the students that details their internship experiences and is presented to their peers and PROD staff. Students often discuss the field of engineering they are interested in exploring further, their future business ideas, or the lessons they learned while engaging with PROD’s staff and production process. 

PROD hopes that this continued engagement with these students will not only encourage STEM aspiring youth to pursue careers in their field of interest, but also provide a starting point for developing the professional and technical experience necessary to thrive in the current work environment. We wish the best for our interns as they start their senior year and encourage them to continue to check in with PROD as they look towards college, the work force, and beyond…