In today's competitive business world, talent development strategies are essential for growing a skilled workforce. Cooperative education programs or Co-Ops stand out as proactive initiatives that bridge the gap between academic learning and industry experience for many students who will eventually earn degrees and become job seekers.
This #IronStrong blog explores the Co-Op program at McWane Ductile, a forward-thinking organization committed to nurturing talent. By examining this program's structure, benefits, and outcomes, this blog highlights how McWane Ductile integrates classroom theory with hands-on learning opportunities, preparing students for successful careers while attracting potential job candidates to the company.
Internships are an important part of college, and McWane Ductile’s Co-Op program strives to be one of the best. Internships allow college students to gain experience in their desired fields while still being enrolled in school. Internship opportunities enable student graduates to hit the job market with both a degree and experience. Internships can also be completed for school credit. Since interns are still students, relevant experience for getting an internship will most likely apply to classes, school projects, extracurricular participation, and other experiences.
How Does a Student Earn a Co-op Internship?
Most internships, including Co-Ops, can be found on popular job search websites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Using search engines and keywords related to your field of study should yield good results.
At McWane Ductile, the process of searching for applicants and filling internships is treated just like any other position. Job candidates are reviewed and vetted by Human Resources, and final candidates are asked to participate in a formal interview. Since many students are still in school, McWane Ductile provides the flexibility of interviewing online via Microsoft Teams or in person.
During the interviews, questions often focus on school performance, personality traits, relevant experience, and typical work-related questions. Some candidates, such as those in Sales Operations & Marketing, may be asked to present a portfolio of work or submit school project samples. Upon accepting positions, all Co-Op new hires are required to attend safety and HR training before beginning their day-to-day job functions.
Finding an internship in an area you are interested in and passionate about is beneficial. By doing so, this experience can help you determine the career path you are striving toward. Having real-world, hands-on experience through an internship can substantially boost your resume when competing for a position in your field of study right out of school.
Let’s Hear from Some McWane Ductile Co-Op Interns
Hannah Maust, Inventory Control Intern, and Education Major
"Working at McWane Ductile in supply chain management has been an incredible experience. As an intern for the past two years, my role in this area has involved various responsibilities crucial to the company's operations, like counting inventory and ensuring that we maintain optimal stock levels to avoid any disruptions in production. These tasks have taught me the importance of paying attention to detail and accuracy.
I also preview purchase orders, which allows me to understand the flow of materials supply and keep operations running smoothly. I have had the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that feels like family; that being said, this connection is particularly meaningful to me because my father, Tom Maust, has been a part of McWane Ductile for roughly 30 years. Seeing the dedication and loyalty he has shown to the company and experiencing first-hand the supportive atmosphere has deepened my appreciation for the values and spirit that McWane embodies. My time here has been more than just an internship because it has reinforced the importance of commitment, hard work, and the sense of belonging that comes from being a part of something bigger."
Max Gartside, Sales Operations & Marketing Intern, and Computer Science Major
“As an intern, I have been tasked with many varying responsibilities from which I have gained knowledge, such as using Adobe’s Creative Suite Software, HubSpot, and Salesforce CRM Platforms.
My newly gained experience here has been substantial. I wrote and published this blog and produced a short video where I conducted interviews with other employees. During the filming process, I learned how to use different cameras and microphones to shoot the film. I learned how to use the Adobe Premiere video editing application. I also completed quarterly marketing reports and an employee newsletter using the Adobe InDesign application and created digital safety bulletins using Canva. Before my internship I had zero experience with these specific applications, and now I feel fairly proficient and confident in all of them.
Since working in the Sales & Marketing department, I have also honed my ability to handle multiple projects and turn those projects around under tight deadlines. This should help me when I return to class and when I have many school assignments. These were just some of the new skills I was able to establish while at McWane Ductile.”
Lucia Adams, Environmental Intern, and Environmental Science Major
“My interview consisted of various questions. I was asked about myself, what I was interested in, how I did in school, and how I worked with others. I talked about classes I had taken, and projects I had done that were relevant to the position. While interning at McWane Ductile, I have met many new faces, all of whom were very supportive and a pleasure to work with.
I have received significant real-world experience, like hazardous waste and air filter inspections at McWane Poles. I have conducted sampling of stormwater, outfall, and wastewater treatment plant solids. I have learned how to perform all those inspections and collect samples, the chain of custody, and how to properly label everything. I have been studying these things in school, but being able to put my skills to use feels great, not to mention the opportunity to see how things operate in real-world environmental work instead of a classroom.”
Let’s Hear from a former Intern, Now Full-Time Employee
Andrew Gibson, Procurement Specialist, and Business Management Technology Major
“I have been working here at McWane Ductile for about a year. I started as an intern for supply chain in August of 2023. Afterward, I had the opportunity to extend my internship and continue as an inventory intern. I met a lot of great people and got my foot in the door, which really helped me earn a permanent position.
From this experience, I have learned many important things, such as inventory tracking and control, vendor-managed inventory, procurement, and other essential business-related skills. McWane Ductile truly cares about the employees. McWane has an amazing culture, and after a year of full-time employment, the company will pay for additional schooling, which is very beneficial. I would recommend McWane, especially to the Co-Op program, to everyone who is eligible.”
Conclusion - The Gateway to Your Career Could be at McWane Ductile
In summary, one of the main objectives of Co-Op programs is bridging the gap between being a student and learning real-world job skills while also recruiting future employees. Andrew Gibson is a perfect example of this. McWane Ductile's Co-Op Program helps to grow students' understanding of the closely tied relationship between academics and industry by providing students with experience in industry work in their field of study, as this blog describes.
McWane Ductile's Co-Op program strategically integrates classroom knowledge with real hands-on experience, offering students a unique opportunity to apply theoretical classroom concepts in real-world settings. Serving student's experience not only equips students with the assets needed to succeed but also equips McWane Ductile with a pipeline of skilled, motivated future professionals. As industries evolve, the Co-Op program will play a crucial role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow, driving both individual and organizational success.
McWane Ductile is looking for results-driven students who want to gain hands-on experience and knowledge, participate in problem-solving, and expose themselves to all levels of the organization. View our Co-Op opportunities at McWaneDuctile.com/Careers (Keywords: Intern or Co-op).
