Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus is partnering with local manufacturing companies through a program giving students job experience while pursuing a college degree.
Twenty students interviewed as part of a work-integrated learning component of the college’s career development services on Sept. 21 and 22, Ivy Tech officials said.
Participating employers included Faurecia, NTN Driveshaft Inc. and Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Inc. from Columbus; Watts Electric Inc. from North Vernon; Amcor Rigid Plastics from Westport; and Worthington Industries from Greensburg.
Work-integrated learning allows students to work for local employers around their school schedules while getting experience necessary for their future careers.
The positions also provide a way for Ivy Tech to meet employer needs by allowing the students to transition into full-time positions within the same company when the student graduates.
Students from Ivy Tech’s advanced automation and robotics technology, industrial technology and design technology programs participated in the interviews.
“A lot of people are nervous about taking the steps to get an interview with companies, but with the work-integrated learning interviewing process, it was simple and gave all of us students so many opportunities,” said Emily Sandlin, an Ivy Tech advanced automation and robotics technology student from Hanover. “I was able to understand the dress codes, common interview questions and answers and learn more about the companies I was hoping to work for one day. This process made me gain the needed knowledge for a successful interview and it showed me that interviews aren’t as scary as they seem.”
Students at Ivy Tech Community College’s Columbus campus can earn a career readiness endorsement that shows employers they are prepared for future success in a career.
“Work-integrated learning provides a seamless pipeline for our students and local employers to connect and develop the workforce of the future with the skills they need to be successful as they start their careers,” said Sara Dunlap, Ivy Tech certified career development adviser. “These interviews are the start of an invaluable experience that is highly rewarding for Ivy Tech students and will pay off for our area employers.”
