Superior Tube Products (STP), a Davenport-based metal tube fabricator, created an internship program for industrial and manufacturing systems engineering (IMSE) students with assistance from CIRAS. This initiative goes beyond providing students with real-world experience; it strengthens STP’s operations and workforce.
Wintersteen and student Karson Eggers.
Too often, internships lead to disappointing experiences for both students and companies. STP took a different approach, collaborating with CIRAS to design a comprehensive program that includes recruitment, onboarding, project assignments, and post-internship feedback. CIRAS project manager Mayra Ramirez worked with STP to develop an adaptable training plan.
“Our internship program, designed with CIRAS, allows us to influence the incoming workforce and gain valuable insights into modern techniques,” said Dana Schultz, STP’s human resources and safety manager.
The program emphasizes meaningful work, with STP managers assigning interns real challenges. “We empower our interns,” Schultz said. “They tackle bottlenecks, offering unique perspectives and creative solutions.”
STP’s commitment is paying off. Iowa State interns Karson Egger and Alexander Kovar analyzed cycle times, optimizing processes to save approximately $120,000 annually. The program’s success led STP to expand its internships from two to six students.
“We’re a growing company, and interns help us build bandwidth,” said Schultz. “Their contributions have been invaluable.”
For more information, contact Mayra Ramirez at ramirezm@iastate.edu or 515-520-3101.