Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/883962
F a l l 2 0 1 7 • S T U F F 4 9 C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E S CONNSTEP offers internships on an as-needed basis. Students receive exposure to principles and processes of Lean continuous improvement, business-growth strategies, quality management systems and organizational development. Interns actively engage with subject matter experts to better understand operational methodologies that benefit manufacturers and enhance the value of their companies. Our current intern is Patrick Genovese, a senior at Quinnipiac University who is majoring in industrial engineering. I N T E R N S H I P P R O G R A M Training Within Industry (TWI) is a proven tool offered by CONNSTEP to bring new employees up to speed, improve their critical thinking and their problem -solving skills. Why did you choose industrial engineering? Although I originally thought about going into mechanical engineering, I took an introductory class about different types of engineering and industrial engineering stood out for me. Engineering is about applying math and science and industrial engineering adds a business component, which I like. You're finding it being applied beyond manufacturing, in industries such as healthcare and finance. Why did you seek an internship at CONNSTEP rather than at a manufacturer where your industrial engineering studies may have been more applicable? For one, a professor at Quinnipiac, head of the engineering department, recommended CONNSTEP and the smart, experienced mentors at the company. Secondly, I'm trying to decide whether to become a consultant or project manager … I thought CONNSTEP would give me a feel for being a consultant. I could have interned at one manufacturer and work on just one project; but here, I get to work with many companies and on different projects. What's been a key experience at CONNSTEP that you might find useful as you launch your career? The emphasis on continuous improvement being more than an idea, it's a philosophy. For example, employing the Lean principle of 5S (Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) helps me improve my project management, being more productive and valuable to the organization. Working here has also given me an overview of what it would be like to be a consultant. It's helping with my project management skills and preparing me more for what I can expect when I join the workforce. Patrick Genovese CONNSTEP's Continuous Improvement Champion Certification (CICC) program offers Lean training that immediately advances employee skills and knowledge and contributes to efficiently streamlining production processes.