Source: Brad Kramer, 785-532-7044, bkramer@amisuccess.com
Website: http://amisuccess.com
News release prepared by: Amanda Weishaar, 785-532-7044

Monday, June 6, 2011

TRAINING FOR A FUTURE: ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE'S INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDING KANSAS COMPANIES WITH QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES

MANHATTAN -- Preparing Kansas State University students for the professional work force, especially for jobs in Kansas, is the main goal of an internship program offered by K-State's Advanced Manufacturing Institute, or AMI.

After completing the program more than half of the institute's interns accept jobs in Kansas, which supports the state's economy and provides the state's work force with highly qualified employees.

"Internships are crucial to college students in order to gain experience and have an edge over the competition in today's job market," said Brad Kramer, director of the institute. "At AMI our intern program provides students the opportunity to work with professionals in their field, become familiar with AMI projects and clients, as well as provide an opportunity to meet potential employers. This experience gives them insight into their future occupations and helps them know what to expect when they join the work force."

Lauren Porterfield, Overland Park, who is graduating from K-State this summer with bachelor's degrees in public relations and French, thinks her time at the institute provided a well-rounded opportunity to identify and develop her professional skills and personal values, while fully preparing her for a future career.

"The experience I gained during my internship at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute is invaluable to me," Porterfield said. "I constantly worked on real-world projects that provided me knowledge and experience that I can use at every job from now on. Every day was a new challenge and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to intern at AMI. I believe the experience I gained during my internship ultimately helped me gain my first job at the K-State Alumni Association."

According to K-State career and employment services, 75 percent of U.S. undergraduate students will complete an internship or co-op before graduation. More than 80 percent of companies use experiential learning programs like internships to identify talent and recruit full-time employees. Statistics also show employers, on average, hire 50 percent of their interns as employees after graduation.

Six students are participating in Advanced Manufacturing Institute's internship program this summer and include:

Michael Patenaude, junior in mechanical engineering, Clay Center; Kyle Coover, senior in mechanical engineering, Galesburg; Douglas Niehues, junior in biological systems engineering, Goff; Amanda Weishaar, senior in mass communications, Lawrence; Jacob Picolet, senior in mechanical engineering, Madison; and Michael Michalski, senior in mechanical engineering, Shawnee.

The Advanced Manufacturing Institute is a part of K-State's College of Engineering that provides business and engineering services. More information on the institute is available online at http://www.amisuccess.com.