Source: Brad Kramer, 785-532-5606, bradleyk@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.amisuccess.com
Hometown interest: Clay Center, Dodge City, Galesburg, Goff, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Newton, Shawnee, Topeka and Wichita.
News release prepared by: Amanda Weishaar, 785-532-7044

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011

PROFESSIONAL SUMMER: STUDENTS GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE THROUGH INTERNSHIPS AT ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE

MANHATTAN -- To some college students, summer means lounging at the pool all day. For six Kansas State University undergraduates, this past summer meant gaining professional work experience by serving internships at K-State's Advanced Manufacturing Institute.

Jacob Picolet, Madison, is a senior in mechanical engineering. As a summer intern at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, he's had the opportunity to work on projects for such clients as John Deere, KMW Loaders and the National Research Energy Lab.

"Working with clients has been great," Picolet said. "A lot of my responsibilities are hands-on and learn-as-you-go situations. I like knowing what is going on and I absorb more this way."

He believes his training at the institute will result in a smooth transition to the professional world. "I feel I can transfer the knowledge and skills I have learned at AMI to jobs in my future career. It is great to be a part of real projects, not just simulations in class," he said.

While Picolet is involved with the design and engineering side of the Advanced Manufacturing Institute, Amanda Weishaar, senior in mass communications from Lawrence, helps with business and marketing.

"I am extremely grateful for my time at AMI," Weishaar said. "After previously participating in an out-of-state internship program that left a lot to be desired, it is refreshing to be excited about coming to work every day. I can happily say that AMI lives up to its word about the quality of its intern program and has far exceeded my expectations.

"AMI has served as a wonderful environment to practice what I have learned in class. I am becoming well rounded in my abilities, which will make me a more valuable future employee. Among other things, my internship has given me the confidence to know that I can truly have a positive impact in a professional organization," she said.

Internship opportunities at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute are not limited to the summer. Fall 2011 interns include Picolet, Weishaar and the following students:

Michael Patenaude, junior in mechanical engineering, Clay Center; Spencer Kaufman, senior in mechanical engineering, Dodge City; Kyle Coover, senior in mechanical engineering, Galesburg; Douglas Niehues, junior in biological systems engineering, Goff; Shelley Kemper, senior in marketing, Logan; Brian Busenitz, senior in mechanical engineering, Newton; Michael Michalski, senior in mechanical engineering, Shawnee; Craig Johnson, master's student in business administration, Topeka; and Benjamin Robinson, master's student in business administration, Wichita.

The Advanced Manufacturing Institute is a part of the K-State College of Engineering, a Kansas Department of Commerce Center of Excellence and an Economic Development Administration University Center that provides engineering and business services. More information about the institute is available online at http://www.amisuccess.com.