The intern program is structured. Everyone I have met is so kind and welcoming to interns, which helped make me feel more comfortable to asks questions. They have many programs to help connect employees, such as a young professionals group and volunteering events. I also like that I was given a project that is meaningful to the company. My project was to research and tests ways to increase the temperature limitation of valves. This was exciting because I could possibly come up with an idea that the company could use in the future.
What I wish was different
I did not receive a job description before being hired so I did not exactly know what my tasks would be before I started, other than a general idea of what my project was going to be. I struggled a lot at the beginning of the semester because my project was owned by me and I had to determine what my tasks I needed to do. There wasn't anyone telling me what I needed to do, so I was lost at first. I had not had any experience with valves before so it was a lot of pressure to innovate them, when I did not even understand them. There is a lot of different internships at Crane and I thought this was a tough one to start with.
Advice
Network with everyone! There is a lot of engineering departments in the building and I have solved a lot of problems by talking to people throughout the building who aren't in my department. Everyone is willing to help interns with their projects, even the managers. Some of my biggest successes were because I asked someone a question and they gave me a resource I wouldn't have otherwise. Knowing things from different areas of the company also helped me understand the product and manufacturing process better, so my advice is to not be afraid to ask people questions and initiate a conversation with people you don't know.
