This summer, College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE) student Lilly Kensicki had the opportunity to intern at The Brewer-Garrett Company, an energy solutions provider dedicated to helping large institutions and businesses become more energy efficient. Lilly, a Mechatronics Engineering Technology major and a Sustainability minor, was drawn to the internship after discovering the company at Kent's Earth Day fair.
As an intern, Lilly's primary responsibilities included assisting the Brewer-Garrett team with technical tasks such as calculating BTUs and identifying energy-saving techniques. She also contributed to writing reports and proposals, honing her teamwork and communication skills.
Lilly was initially unsure of what she was getting into at her internship with Brewer-Garrett, but the hands-on experience and mentorship she received there proved invaluable. Her supervisor would frequently challenge her by asking, "What bait are we using?" This prompted Lilly to think critically and ensure she had solid questions prepared before seeking answers.
"The back-and-forth dialogue allowed me to ask the questions I needed to get the job done," Lilly explained. This mentoring approach pushed Lilly to develop her critical thinking skills and become a more proactive learner. Rather than just passively absorbing information, Lilly learned to approach her work with intentionality, identifying key questions that would help her truly understand the tasks at hand.
"Any experience is good experience when it comes to career preparation," Lilly advises fellow students. "Even if you don’t like the job description, apply anyway because you don’t know what you’ll like [until you try it.]”
Lilly's internship experience at Brewer-Garrett embodies Kent State's motto, "Dare Mighty Things." By stepping out of her comfort zone and diving into an unfamiliar field, Lilly demonstrated the spirit of daring and curiosity we strive to cultivate in all our students.
For students seeking internship opportunities, our CAE career services coordinator, Steven Nowinski, can provide guidance on the internship search and application process. To connect with Steven and learn more about internship opportunities, visit our website email Steven at snowinsk@kent.edu. You can also explore opportunities on Handshake, where many organizations post exciting internships directly for students.