Intern: Samuel Willenbring
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Company: Polaris Industries Inc.
Location of Internship: Wyoming, Minnesota
Internship Title: Powertrain Design Engineering Intern
- Why did you choose the company that you worked for?
- I chose to work for Polaris Industries, because I have always had a passion for motorcycles and powertrain engineering. This organization lets me incorporate both of my passions into my internship experience.
- What were some of your job requirements for your internship?
- The major skills that this organization were looking for was being able to think critically, and having knowledge of CAD and other software analysis programs.
- What was your favorite part about your internship experience?
- My favorite part about my internship experience was that I was given the opportunity to design a component that will be used in the construction of a production motorcycle.
- What was the most challenging part of your internship? How did you overcome those obstacles?
- One challenge that I faced in my internship, was the language and time barriers when I was working with various people from around the world. At times it was hard to communicate with people based on their different schedules. I overcame this barrier by really making it a priority to manage my time, and plan meetings that worked both for the person I was working with, and myself.
- How did you find your internship?
- I found my internship through an NDSU Career Fair
- Why was it beneficial for you to register for credit(s) through the Internship Program offered through the Career Center?
- It was beneficial to register for credit through the Internship Program, because it allowed me to fulfill one of my department technical electives that I needed to graduate.
- What advice would you give to a student who is in the process of applying to an internship?
- While it is important to work hard in the classroom setting, it is also important to work hard out of the classroom. When you get a chance to work hands-on with an organization, you get the chance to develop skills that you can use in the future.
