Internship in China offers MSOE students international experience
| Published: 05/25/2010 |
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Two undergraduate students from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) will spend their summer in China. Katelyn Volz, an international business major from Pardeeville, Wis., and Jeremiah Gillis, an electrical engineering major from Milwaukee, are each taking part in a 10-week internship sponsored by Williams Controls at its 85,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China.
Volz and Gillis were chosen from among 21 MSOE juniors and seniors who applied and competed for this internship. While they are in China, the students will have the opportunity to apply their undergraduate study including, but not limited to, product design, quality control, manufacturing process control and specification development. They will each have a significant project to work on that will have financial and procedural implications on the company's quality initiatives. In addition, they will receive Mandarin and cultural training lessons from Williams Controls' staff in China and participate in company social activities.
"At Williams Controls we employ some of the best engineering talent in the industry," said Patrick W. Cavanagh, president and CEO of Williams Controls. "As an MSOE graduate, I am thrilled we can provide these students with a hands-on learning experience in China that will advance their education and careers as engineers and business leaders."
To prepare for their internship, Volz and Gillis each took an 11-week graduate-level course through MSOE's Rader School of Business called "Doing Business in China." They completed projects to learn about business and culture, and interacted with executives of companies that have a presence in China.
Williams Controls, based in Portland, Ore., is the world leader in electronic throttle controls for commercial vehicles. The company, with operations in North America, Europe and Asia, works with OEM customers worldwide to design and manufacture electronic pedals, sensors, hand controls and related applications for the truck, bus and RV markets.
MSOE is an independent university with 2,600 students. MSOE offers 17 bachelor's degrees and ten master's degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, architectural engineering and building construction, computer, business, nursing and health-related fields. The university has a national academic reputation; longstanding ties to business and industry; dedicated professors with real-world experience; and extremely high placement rates and starting salaries. MSOE graduates are well-rounded, technologically experienced and highly productive professionals and leaders.