A
t 25, Robbie Allred has done a lot different
jobs. He's worked in restaurants and as a
park ranger, and served in the Marine
Corps for four years. But becoming a paid
intern at Protonex Technology Corp. in
Southborough set him on a course he's been dream-
ing about for a long time.
"Most of my life, I've always been a science nerd
and a space nerd," Allred said.
So, when one of his professors at Quinsigamond
Community College in Worcester, James Heffernan,
suggested he consider the position at Protonex, he
jumped at the chance. The company makes advanced
fuel cells for military and scientific uses, including
unmanned real systems platforms.
A space nerd at work
With his background in electrical engineering,
Allred began by testing and building small cables.
"You come in, and they definitely give you a lot of
responsibility and trust," he said. "But they're defi-
nitely good about teaching you too. It's important to
know when to ask for help."
Today, Allred is a full-time electrical engineering
technician at the company.
Chris Bonnie, a senior engineer at Protonex and
manager of the intern program, said hiring people
like Allred is part of the point of offering internships
as far as the company is concerned.
Companies wanting to try out
employees give young workers
the chance to develop
How interns and
companies help
each other
Robbie Allred, 25
Electrical engineering technician, former electrical
engineering intern,
Protonex Technology Corp., Southborough
Lives: Fitchburg
Makes: Portable power solutions
Career aspirations: Work on space systems,
including rovers
Pay: Industry standard for co-op students
12 S T U F F • 2 0 1 8 • StuffMadeinMA.com
BY L IVIA GERSHON
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