Viwinco Internship Program 2024

In 2021, we launched the Viwinco Summer Internship Program. Thanks to Elena Kollar’s — Viwinco Human Resources Business Partner— dedication, the Program is now in its third year. We are thrilled about the direction our program is taking, and to welcome the new class of interns. 

Our internship program provides students with invaluable hands-on experience in their chosen fields while helping them develop essential workplace skills. We are proud to announce that over the past three years, we have successfully transitioned four interns into full-time roles within their dedicated fields. They have made significant contributions across various departments, including Maintenance, Human Resources, Marketing, and Manufacturing Engineering. 

Welcome to Our 2024 Summer Interns

This year, we have welcomed five talented college students into our Summer Internship Program. As we continue to streamline manufacturing operations, we are excited to announce that this year’s interns are all pursuing engineering degrees. 

Abhishek Mahesh (Abhi) – Class of 2027 

Abhi is majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Penn State University and has been assigned to work with our Quality Department. Abhi will assist in analyzing defective material reports (DMRs) to identify and categorize top-quality rejections from our suppliers. Once identified, the top issues will be compiled, and a quality sampling plan will be developed to inspect the material’s quality before it is sent to Production. Additionally, Abhi will work on process problem-solving for field complaints, create new quality control procedures, and implement our Document Control Process to standardize and manage revisions for all work procedures, forms, and templates. 

Dylan Mandel – Class of 2026 

Dylan is enrolled in a five-year program at Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in Industrial Engineering. As part of the Manufacturing Engineering team, Dylan will be working on several important projects during his internship. He will contribute to designing a future state layout for our Mulling department, which will be moving to a new location. He will also focus on improving the dust collection system at our Picture and Slider Frame Saw. Additionally, Dylan will be involved in creating standard work procedures, starting with the Casement line. 

Jack Slivken – Class of 2026 

Jack is attending Ohio State University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Jack has been assigned to our maintenance department as an Automation Intern. Jack’s focuses include relocating and modifying a stretch wrapper on the Picture/Slider line to streamline the process and reduce manual handling. He will redesign the line, reroute utilities, and adjust operator steps to avoid production interruptions. Additionally, he is standardizing screw guns in production to reduce injuries and improve quality by specifying the right speed and torque settings and ensuring ergonomic use. In the New Glass Shop, Jack will be enhancing process control on the Erdman lines by analyzing machine parameters that affect IGU quality, aiming for more consistent and higher-quality production. 

Johanna Holmes (Jo) – Class of 2025 

Johanna is studying Mechanical Engineering at Cedarville University. As part of the Manufacturing Engineering team, she will work on increasing the yield for Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB) on our lamination line. She is also focusing on improving ergonomics by redesigning carts in our Glass Shop. Additionally, Johanna will conduct time studies to understand the true machine capacity on our Erdman glass lines. 

Sid Senthilvel – Class of 2027 

Sid is attending Purdue University, majoring in Aero/Astronomical Engineering. And has been assigned to our Materials Department. During his internship, Sid will be heavily involved in the Vinyl Shop Overhaul Project. Specifically focusing on the Materials Supermarket and the line-side material replenishment process. 

Internship Program Details 

Once hired, interns are matched with a department that aligns with their field of study, providing them with hands-on experience and the chance to develop important workplace skills. During their time with us, interns work on projects that allow them to apply classroom knowledge and learn new skills that will benefit them in the future.   

During the internship, Elena conducts weekly group meetings to ensure all interns are working towards their goals and to provide a platform for addressing any issues or concerns. To conclude the internship, each intern makes a presentation to our upper management team detailing their projects and what they have learned. It has been our way of showcasing our interns’ contributions and celebrating the intern’s experience. It is a great way to wrap up the internships, as we celebrate with some lunch and hear some words from David Barnes, our owner and CEO. 

Expectations and Opportunities for Interns 

If you are willing to work hard and participate, you can gain valuable experience as an intern at Viwinco. The ability to gain real-world experience and enhance your soft skills, such as teamwork and collaboration, is invaluable. You are not just an intern here; you are a part of the team. We value your input as you bring fresh, innovative ideas. We are committed to building your resume with work experience to make you more marketable once you enter the real world. 

We expect interns to be punctual, responsible, and take this job seriously. Participation and self-motivation are key; we want to allow you to grow and learn as much as possible while you are here. This is an excellent opportunity to learn to be professional and participate actively. 

Applying for Viwinco’s Summer Internship Program 

Our internships are paid positions that last approximately 10-12 weeks. To apply, you must be enrolled in a college or university or be a recent graduate. While most of our internships are not accredited through a college or university, we have previously worked with schools to meet the necessary requirements for accredited internships if needed. 

Positions are posted on our company website and other job boards from late February to early March. Once applications are submitted, they are reviewed, and qualified candidates are scheduled for a phone screen. Successful phone screens lead to an in-person or virtual interview with the management team. 

We primarily look for local candidates, as Viwinco does not provide housing for interns. However, if a candidate has local ties to the area and can manage their own housing, we can accommodate the position.

Conclusion 

We are incredibly proud of the growth and success of our internship program at Viwinco. It has become a cornerstone of our commitment to nurturing future talent and providing meaningful, hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Our interns are not just temporary additions to our team; they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that contribute significantly to our ongoing projects. As we continue to expand and refine our program, we look forward to welcoming more talented students eager to learn and grow with us. 

By investing in these young professionals, we are not only shaping their careers but also securing a bright and innovative future for Viwinco. We are thrilled about the potential and contributions of our 2024 Summer Interns and eagerly anticipate the impact they will make. 

If you are a motivated student looking to gain valuable experience and be part of a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply and join us. For more information regarding internship opportunities, please contact Elena Kollar via email at ekollar@viwinco.com.