Jeremiah Friend “It’s a golden opportunity. Even if you start doing simple tasks, if you work hard enough, you’ll be given the chance to succeed. The networking opportunities I had were a big impact. Even today I can leverage people I met during my internship to help me solve challenges I face in my full-time role.”
Jeremiah Friend went from a Connersville High School intern to full-time employee because of the amazing experience he had as a Conexus Intern. At first, he wasn’t sure he would enjoy working in the advanced manufacturing field. But he quickly found that he and advanced manufacturing were a perfect match.
“I was very nervous when I first started out and my teacher encouraged me to do the Conexus Interns program as a ‘try-it-and-see’ experience,” Jeremiah said. “And I’m glad that my teacher did that because I found out that I love manufacturing.”
Jeremiah is a Material Planner at Trane Technologies in Rushville, a global climate innovator that brings efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation through its strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®. Jeremiah landed the full-time position after completing three summer internships at Trane.
During the 6-week paid internships, Jeremiah helped with inventory control. He quickly appreciated the role his team played in the manufacturing process and learned from seasoned employees how to identify materials and calculate accurate quantities for the production department.
Throughout his internships, Jeremiah started with simple tasks, but his confidence grew under the guidance of mentors and co-workers. Today, he is making decisions on what and how much to purchase, yet he knows there are plenty of co-workers he can lean on for continued guidance and support.
“The internship really helped me to get my foot in the door, to work hard and show my supervisors that they can trust me to make the best decisions for my team,” Jeremiah said. “My team has always supported me and believed in what I’m capable of.”
Companies that host Conexus Interns, Jeremiah says, are investing in their future workforce.
“From a business perspective, it’s a great investment. You have the opportunity to train the next generation of your employees,” Jeremiah said. “When you take the time to bring on an intern and support them, you’re setting up the potential for a future employee that will already know the ins and outs of your business.”
Employers interested in building their future workforce can sign up to host Conexus Interns here.
Students can explore a future career in the world of manufacturing and logistics and apply to Conexus Interns here.