Maryland MEP Celebrates Completion of 2016 Manufacturing Summer Internship Program for College Students

Maryland MEP (MD MEP), a non-profit committed to growing and strengthening Maryland manufacturing, is pleased to announce 11 interns have completed internships, gaining valuable on-the-job experience and soft-skills training through MD MEP’s first-of-its-kind 2016 Manufacturing Summer Internship Program.

Eleven students were selected to participate in the 2016 Manufacturing Summer Internship Program, and each was paired with 11 of the best and most innovative manufacturing companies in the state. In addition to onsite internship experience, all interns benefited from the mentorship of MD MEP’s manufacturing experts. All interns in the program were brought together throughout the summer to share experiences and receive valuable training from MD MEP staff focusing on topics including soft skills, communication, innovation & entrepreneurship, project management training and manufacturing 101.

The Manufacturing Summer Internship Program Class of 2016 included 11 interns working at Maryland manufacturing firms included Bowles Fluidics, Canam Steel Corp., C-Care, Lyon Distilling, Maryland Department of the Environment, Mobern Lighting, Pixelligent Technologies, LLC, Pompeian Inc., Salazon Chocolate Co., Tenax Corp. and MD MEP.

“As part of our commitment to grow the manufacturing sector in Maryland, the Manufacturing Summer Internship Program provides college students with a unique opportunity to not only work at great Maryland manufacturers, but receive valuable soft skills training that will put them ahead of the game when they graduate,” said Brian Sweeney, Executive Director of MD MEP. “We’re thrilled the first year of the Manufacturing Summer Internship Program was a success, and we look forward to placing another crop of talented students with Maryland manufacturers in 2017.”

MD MEP opened up the application process for the 2016 Manufacturing Summer Internship Program in February. Eleven applicants were selected to participate in the program and shortly thereafter paired with companies based on location and fit. In June, each intern began their internship by worked with their assigned companies to develop a summer-long project that fit the student’s skill set and career goals.

In addition to their onsite experience, interns were provided regular soft-skills training through a variety of sessions with MD MEP staff held throughout the summer, learning valuable skills like how to meet expectations, and develop valuable project management and communication skills. Sessions also included days at manufacturing facilities throughout the state, including project management training held at Baltimore-based Pompeian and a team-building day at Frederick-based AstraZeneca.

Registration for the 2017 Manufacturing Summer Internship Program is expected to open this winter. MD MEP will again seek rising juniors, seniors or graduate students who are majoring in engineering, marketing, business or other related fields. All applicants must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and provide their own transportation during the summer. Selected applicants will be paid at a rate decided by the company the applicant is paired with.

If you are interested in learning more about the Manufacturing Summer Internship Program, please contact Kerry McManus at kmcmanus@mdmep.org.

About Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP): MD MEP works with partners throughout the state including the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) and others focused on growing manufacturing in the State of Maryland by providing resources and services to manufacturers statewide. Through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, MD MEP helps Maryland manufacturers expand their business, educate their workforce and create mutually beneficial connections with other Maryland businesses. For more information, please visit www.mdmep.org.