Q: What made you interested in this internship?
A: I have wanted to be an engineer for a long time, and this internship was a great opportunity to get into the field.

Q: What did you know about manufacturing or steel before starting here?
A: I really did not know much about steel before starting here, and I only had a general idea about manufacturing, as my grandfather worked in the steel mill.

Q: What surprised you most about working in a manufacturing environment?
A: What surprised me most is how many different aspects there are to manufacturing. I did not know that there were so many people involved and so many different jobs.

Q: What was your favorite project or task this summer?
A: My favorite task this summer was nesting. I found it very enjoyable to figure out how all the parts fit, almost like a puzzle.

Q: What is one skill you learned or improved during your internship?
A: My Excel skills improved a lot during this internship.

Q: How has this internship helped you think about your future career?
A: It has given me a more realistic idea of what day-to-day engineering may be like and shown me that engineering is less of an individual job than many people portray it to be.

Q: What software, equipment, drawings, or processes did you get to work with?
A: I got to work with BySoft and SolidWorks this summer, as well as Excel and Adobe. I also used drawings of parts provided by other companies when I was quoting parts.

Q: What was the most hands-on thing you learned?
A: The most hands-on thing I learned was how to make the packets that go to the floor of the laser cutting plans.

Q: How did this internship connect classroom learning to real-world manufacturing?
A: This internship showed me how the CAD modeling I use in the classroom is put into practice to make real parts, as well as how programming works on the machines.

Q: What was the most challenging or rewarding part of the role?
A: The most challenging part of the role was learning how to use new software, but it was also the most rewarding, because it showed me that I can learn quickly and will be able to handle similar situations well in the future.

Q: What did you learn about problem-solving in a production environment?
A: I learned that problem-solving is incredibly important in a production environment. When completing jobs, many issues arise that must be addressed before the next step can be completed.

Q: Did this internship change or confirm what you want to do after graduation?
A: This internship confirmed that I would like to become an engineer in the future. It may have changed what I'll look for when going into the workforce after college, but it has solidified my desire to become an engineer.

Thank you, Alina, for sharing your summer with us — we can't wait to see where your engineering career takes you!

About Alliance Fabrication & Manufacturing

In 2016, Alliance Steel added its first Co2 laser, utilizing the latest manufacturing technology to keep pace with the unpredictable manufacturing world and better serve its customer base. 

From this starting point, Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing was created to further expand relationships with OEMs, fabricators, and manufacturers.

Our ambitions align with yours, helping your business become more dynamic and competitive in each market landscape. This team is founded on generations of knowledge expansion and data-based efforts. We will walk beside each customer, guiding them into a more productive and profitable future.  

Located in the heart of the Midwest, Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing offers a 500,000-square-foot facility that provides automated robotic welding, manual welding, offline programming, metal forming and bending, laser cutting, kitting, mechanical assembly, stretcher leveling (laser-quality flat steel), quality control, and logistics.

We produce parts that offer product performance repeatability that is essential to everyday life. 

About Alliance Family of Companies