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Career Exploration: Engineering, Networking And Summer Internships At Glenair

Glenair, Inc. and its CEO, Peter Kaufman, have once again invited our high school students to participate in an enriching paid internship program in Glendale, California
Glenair, Inc. and its CEO, Peter Kaufman, have once again invited our high school students to participate in an enriching paid internship program in Glendale, California in June. Mr. Kaufman extended this opportunity to students enrolled in Ms. Craven’s engineering class at Central City and Ms. Oh’s calculus class at University Prep, with fourteen students selected to participate.

The program, which was expanded from the previous year, offered students a comprehensive experience in the world of engineering and technology. Interns were introduced to cutting-edge projects, including work on electronic components for autonomous air vehicles projected to revolutionize commuting by 2034.

At Glenair's Anaheim facility, students received hands-on training with 3D printing technology and gained valuable skills in advanced manufacturing. They also had the opportunity to network with developers and designers working on electronic connectors used in rockets, jet planes, submarines, and even planetary rovers.

“The experience made me discover what engineering is all about. What was the process behind the materials being used? It includes chemical testing, assembly process, and design process. This might seem simple, but all of this is critical to making an electrical connector, a wire that can change history." -- Mabel, 12th grade

Glenair CEO Peter Kaufman with our students.The internship wasn't limited to technical skills. Students learned how to craft effective resumes and participated in a 90-minute seminar led by Peter Kaufman, himself. Kaufman shared insights into Glenair's hiring philosophy, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and the attitude of having "something to contribute, but nothing to prove."  This approach has fostered a collaborative work environment at Glenair, resulting in an impressive 99% year-to-year employee retention rate.

"I feel like everything I learned in Peter Kaufman’s talk was invaluable to me." -- Jesus, 12th Grade

Glenair CEO Peter Kaufman shared his insights on the skills required to be successful in work and in life.

“This experience helped me learn about the workplace and new career paths I wouldn’t have had access to. This is very important to me because I find it essential to educate myself in as many possibilities for my future as I can." -- Emily, 11th Grade

Students present their understanding of what they learned at Glenair with their peers. Students present their understanding of what they learned at Glenair with their peers. Students present their understanding of what they learned at Glenair with their peers.
Students present their understanding of what they learned at Glenair with their peers. Students present their understanding of what they learned at Glenair with their peers. Students present their understanding of what they learned at Glenair with their peers.

“At Glenair I learned about creating complicated products and gained a better understanding of all the careers it takes to be successful. I also feel I can apply Glenair's guiding principles to my future endeavors.” – Emily, 11th Grade

The internship included visits to the University of Redlands and Occidental CollegeThe internship included visits to the University of Redlands and Occidental College, providing our students with valuable exposure to higher education environments and potential career paths, particularly in engineering and technology fields.

Throughout their time at Glenair, our high school students observed the strong, familial relationships among staff members, which gave them a glimpse into a positive professional work environment. This experience not only equipped them with technical skills but also offered valuable lessons in workplace culture, professional development, and networking.

“This experience was a true eye-opener into engineering and logistics. It was an amazing learning experience.” – Diana, 12th Grade

The Glenair Summer Paid Internship Program exemplifies the company's commitment to nurturing young talent and investing in the future of engineering and technology. For our Value Schools students, it was an invaluable opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop their networking skills, and explore potential career paths in a supportive and innovative environment.

We collect surveys from our students after each Career Exploration event. Here are some of the results from our students' experience:

"Career exploration events like this inspire me to work harder in school."
9 of 14 Strongly Agreed and 5 Agreed

"The Value Schools Foundation should create more career exploration events like this."
14 of 14 Strongly Agreed

"I would recommend this career exploration experience to my friends."
8 of 14 Strongly Agreed and 6 Agreed

We are grateful to every parent of our students who supported their daughters' and sons' employment during this summer internship program.

“My interest in engineering increased because of how cool the field is, how cool the job is, and I just think overall the internship was really fun!” – Christopher, 12th Grade