News

Meet Team 1 Plastics’ Summer Interns

Since 2011, Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the automotive industry, has offered summer internships for college students. This summer, Team 1 was pleased to have two interns, Aaron Smit and Curtis Long.

Smit, a graduate from Hamilton High School (Hamilton, Michigan), is currently attending Albion College, majoring in Economics and Management with a minor in German and Gerstacker (Business Organizations). When he resumes studies this fall, he will be a Junior with an expected graduation date of May 2018.

“My experience here at Team 1 has been very rewarding and beneficial for my academics,” said Smit. “My primary assignment has been to evaluate the current plastic scrap recycling efforts of Team 1 and to propose/implement an alternative strategy.” Having a interest in sustainable practices and experience with data analytics, Smit said that he had hoped to learn more about how the manufacturing/supply-chain industry worked, as well as to improve his skills in business analytics. Working under the guidance of Gary Grigowski, Team 1’s Vice President, Smit identified a new recycling process for scrap plastic which Team 1 Plastics has implemented.

“I have learned about some of the challenges in sustainable business practices. Often, there is a large gap between environmentally sustainable and financially sustainable. In addition, I have advanced my analytical skills significantly. I was surprised at the complexity of the task. At first, it seemed as though I would finish in the first month. I was also surprised to find out new things about myself and my career goals; I really enjoy crunching numbers and using math to make interesting conclusions.”

Long, who graduated from Charlotte High School (Charlotte, Michigan), is pursuing several degrees at Ferris State University’s College of Engineering Technology. Upon successful completion of the internship, Long will earn his A.A.S. degree in Plastics and Polymers Engineering Technology. Next spring (May 2017), he expects to have completed the requirements for another A.A.S. degree – this one in CAD Drafting and Tool Design. He is also currently waiting acceptance into Ferris’ Bachelor degree program for Plastics Engineering Technology.

Long’s background in plastics’ processing had occurred during a summer job when he worked for a custom molded seating company. He had designed a few fixtures for them but had almost no processing experience. Long said that his goal for the internship at Team 1 Plastics was “… to get as much first-hand experience as possible by working on the processes and machine set-ups.” And this has happened under the supervision of Dave Seedorf, Engineering Manager, and the tutelage of Chris Seidel, Process Engineer New Product. “On the first day, I was asked to try and improve a process for a part that was having a couple of issues. Although I was prepared for it from lectures and lab at Ferris State, I wasn’t really expecting to jump right in on the first day.

“I had hoped to get more in-depth in the experience of working at a highly functioning injection molding facility, and this internship has done that and more! I have done countless tool changes this summer. I’ve been able to incorporate my CAD knowledge by designing several end-of-arm tools. I have set up secondary equipment, such as conveyors and K-cut machines. I have learned new techniques, such as how to remove flash from the parting line and how to secure loose water lines to prevent them from being rubbed raw. I’ve also learned how to handle difficult situations when things don’t go as planned. Because Team 1 is fully automated, it has taught me a lot about efficiency and preparedness. I would say that this internship is a great first step at launching me towards a long and successful career in the plastics industry.”

For both of these students, an Internship is a requirement of their programs of study. For Team 1 Plastics, offering internships is a way of garnering future Team Members. According to Robert Clothier, Human Resource Manager, “We are in an industry where we are competing for the same talent as global companies, which are much larger than us. By offering internships, Team 1 can offer an industry experience to college students while showing them that Team 1 Plastics is a great place to work. Our goal is to help develop students while in college and, if they feel Team 1 is a good fit, to help develop their career after they graduate.” He added, “The real value of an internship program is having the opportunity to build a relationship with a student for a few months. We feel that we can give our interns a great experience that they will be able to share with classmates when they return to school.”

The internships at Team 1 Plastics are paid because, according to Clothier, “We have them doing real work, and they come up with great systems and processes that we will continue to use moving forward. For the value they are providing us, it makes sense to offer paid internships.”

Team 1 is currently working with Albion College and Ferris State University. While planning to continue developing its relationship with these two higher educational institutions by having one or two interns from these schools each year, opportunities for college students at other institutions are available. Clothier said, “Anybody interested in an internship at Team 1 can apply through our website as if they were applying for a regular position. We also work with colleges and universities’ Career Centers to post Internship opportunities and to make visits to campuses.”

Both Smit and Long said that they would recommend an Internship at Team 1 Plastics. “I would highly recommend other students to strive for an internship at Team 1. Team 1’s Engineering department will always find something for you to do or work on and keep you busy,” said Long. Smit added, “Team 1 is a great place to work because Team Members are always willing to help and answer questions.”