Engineering a Better World Maureen Holler, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, helped the environment by reducing waste at a medical device manufacturer in 2008. Her hands-on internship through the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program provided her with the tools to engineer a better world by developing solutions that reduce waste.
MnTAP internships give students the opportunity
to work as project managers, solving problems in industrial
settings.
MnTAP hires junior or senior college students
to work on waste reduction projects at companies in Minnesota.
MnTAP funds up to six projects in locations around the state.
The projects are at different companies and in different industries
so project specifics will vary. The list of past projects highlights the types of projects students have worked on.
Solve real problems by gathering data,
and identifying and evaluating options.
Demonstrate that you can work independently.
Show project management ability.
Affect actual change in products, processes
or procedures.
Gain experience in an industrial setting.
Apply classroom knowledge in real world.
Work with people.
Work with equipment, procedures, chemicals
and raw materials.
Qualifications All candidates should have a cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.0 and should possess good
oral and written communication skills. A technical academic
background is required and will vary from
project to project. Troubleshooting skills are required. Students
are encouraged to seek academic credit for this internship. Students do not need to be enrolled at the University of Minnesota to apply.
Appropriate majors:
chemical engineering
chemistry
civil engineering
mechanical engineering
physics
others as applicable to the project
Interns have added these experiences to
their resumes:
American Converters: Switched to waterbased
adhesive, saving 32,000 pounds of air emissions and $40,000
annually in compliance costs.
Endocardial Solutions: Reduces 1.4 tons
of solid waste per year. The payback is less than a year
with first year savings of about $15,000.
Hoffman: Water conservation saving 3.4
million gallons and nearly $32,000 annually.
"With this job experience I now have
job opportunities lining up for next summer and it's only
fall. I can look at what I've learned and apply it to other
situations." Kurt Manufacturing Intern, University of
Minnesota chemical engineering student.
"I went from having only interviews
with a few companies to having several job offers after my
MnTAP internship." Anagram Intern, University of Minnesota
chemical engineering student.
Attend a half-day orientation to being
a MnTAP intern.
Determine how waste is currently produced
in company processes. Gather data from reports and running
tests.
Identify what other companies are doing.
Contact vendors about best available technologies. Research
and evaluate options for reducing waste.
Work with the company's management and
employees to determine feasibility of different waste reduction
options. Develop a cost comparison between the use of existing
procedures and the new ones.
Write a final report and present project
results.
Interns work at their company facilities under the
supervision of the company and MnTAP staff. Positions are
full-time for three months, starting at the conclusion of spring semester
or quarter.
Compensation
The pay is $8.35 per hour plus a $2,500 stipend upon completion of the deliverables,presentations and report, at the conclusion of the project. This equals about $13.00 per hour when averaged over the project. MnTAP will reimburse for work-related mileage, but will not cover housing expenses.
How to Apply Applications
must include: 1) letter of interest/cover letter, 2) unofficial transcript,
and 3) resume. E-mail application (preferred) to Krysta Larson, MnTAP Intern Coordinator. Or mail to: MnTAP,
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 350, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
Student interviews
are generally conducted during March
and April. Applications are accepted until the positions are
filled.
Candidates will indicate which positions
they are interested in at their interview. Questions? E-mail
or call 612.624.1300 or 800.247.0015.
