15 Aug 2024
Trevor is a senior at Penn State studying Mechanical Engineering. During his time at Puratos he worked on assisting the Operations Team with implementing a new UHT production plant.
1. How did you find out about this internship, and what motivated you to apply for it?
"I found out about this internship through LinkedIn. I was looking for experience with operations and engineering and the role was a great fit. I was not familiar with the food industry, but I was excited to learn something new."
2.How has this internship contributed to your understanding of the food industry?
"Before working at Puratos, I had no prior knowledge of the food industry and the different types of jobs within it. This internship has exposed me to so much information about the food industry and all of its possibilities. It has changed the way I look at food products."
3. What advice would you give to other students or individuals considering the same internship or a similar role?
"I would say to not be scared to learn new things. Although I wasn't necessarily looking for a job in the food industry, I've learned so much and it has opened many future career paths for me. Anything you can learn or be exposed to during an internship can be very valuable in the future."
4. What areas did you grow in during your internship?
"I have grown in many ways throughout this internship. I learned how to network within a company and make connections with people across departments. I also became a better team player and now better understand the importance of teamwork within an organization."
5.Could you describe a typical day as an intern in this role?
"My days are usually not the same as I have a variety of tasks to do. However, a typical day could include meetings with the engineering team, making progress certain different projects, or spending time in the production plant."
6. Did you participate in any activities related to your professional growth during your internship?
"Yes, the other interns and I have attended various professional development trainings. My favorites have been lunch & learns and other training sessions where we were able to develop skills in networking, sending emails, and giving and receiving feedback."
7. What projects or tasks did you work on during your internship, and which one was the most challenging or rewarding for you?
"One of my most rewarding projects involved finding a solution to a dosing safety problem in the Puratop production line. I was tasked with finding a way to pump sorbitol into mixing tanks instead of being manually carried and dumped via buckets. My proposed solution will be implemented soon and will increase efficiency and eliminate safety risks in the process. It is really cool to see my own work have a direct impact on the company."
8. How valuable was the guidance/mentorship you received during your internship?
"My manager, Mike Gawbill, has been an invaluable mentor to me. Mike is so knowledgeable, and I have grown so much from his expertise. He has guided me along my projects and is always there to provide recommendations/advice when I need it. I am very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Mike during this internship."
9. How would you describe the company culture?
"The company culture at Puratos is really special. Every person you run into always has a welcoming smile and is so easy to talk to. This is something I admire about Puratos as a company."
10. What was your favorite memory from the internship?
"One of my favorite memories of the internship has been the activities with the other interns. We had a board game/dinner night one night and it was a really fun way to get to know the other interns better. The Intern activities were a great way to build a community amongst the interns even though we were spread across different departments."
11. What is your favorite Puratos product/ finished good you’ve had during your time here?
"I'd say it has to be the baguettes. They're make favorite thing to take home and have with dinner. Also, I really enjoyed making baguettes during our bakery experience with the other interns."
