I interviewed for my Technical Service internship in December of 2023, in the middle of my exam week. I was very nervous, as it was my very first in-person interview. However, I remember feeling so comfortable during the interview; I was able to relax and be myself and understand what ITW Performance Polymers was really like. I went home to Ohio for Christmas break the next day and was excited when I received a call from the HR department a week later offering me the job!
A Sense of Camaraderie
Choosing ITW Performance Polymers was an easy decision for me. When I came for my in-person interview, I met the Technical Service team and immediately knew that I would enjoy working with everyone here. I appreciated how everyone instantly welcomed me and chitchatted as if I already knew them. This sense of camaraderie made me feel confident that this was the right place for me. Now, getting to work with the people I met, I feel incredibly lucky that everyone is so willing to help and teach me whenever I need it. I get to work with people who have become good friends, which makes the workplace that much more fun!
Initial Expectations
My initial thoughts and expectations were filled with excitement. I have always been passionate about material science and had previous experience in the field, so I was eager to dive in. Currently, I am an upcoming senior at Tufts University, double majoring in Chemical Engineering and Economics, with a minor in Materials and Surface Chemistry. My previous internship in Material Science left a positive impression on me, and I was looking forward to expanding my knowledge and experience here at ITW Performance Polymers.
Training & Support
During my summer internship, I received invaluable training and support. I learned how to use a lot of the machines that we have in the lab, and most importantly, I got to learn how to perform different types of testing on the Instron.
Throughout my internship, I have gotten the chance to do different types of tensile testing, such as different types of lap shears, cross peels, and T-peels. I have also gotten the opportunity to learn how to properly make different types of bonds and perform other testing like sag resistance and flow rate testing. While it has taken me many, many attempts to make proper lap shears, trial and error was the best way for me to learn.
Professional Development
Seeing how different materials and different adhesives performed completely differently was very interesting to me. One of the most important lessons I have learned so far was becoming more comfortable asking for help. This was a significant personal and professional development for me, expanding my analytical and critical thinking skills. When I made a mistake or wasn’t 100% sure how to do something, people here are helpful teaching each other, forgiving of mistakes and sharing ideas.
Working Cross-functionally
In this internship, I was able to interact with people across all departments, meeting individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. I worked a lot with Quality Control when I needed to use retains for testing and with R&D when I was using their lab and had questions about the chemistries of some of the adhesives.
One of the highlights was going on a large wind energy customer visit in my third week! I got to visit their facility and meet with some of their engineers, which was very cool to see. I also got experience talking to the customers and learned how to answer their questions, which was different than anything I had ever experienced in the past.
The biggest thing I took out of this experience was the importance of building relationships with the customers. Listening and demonstrating confidence in the product knowledge was key, as well.
A Typical Day
A typical day with the Technical Services team starts around 8 AM. I usually spend the first hour catching up with people on projects and setting my goals for the day. Some days, I head to the lab to prep my samples for abrasion and bonding, then spend the rest of the day working on those samples.
On other days, I might be at the Instron machine testing samples I made the previous week. I often have questions and end up taking some time to ask the team. My favorite part of the week is getting to go to Friday lunches with the team. It is nice to bond with my coworkers and get some advice from them during this time.
Overall, my internship at ITW Performance Polymers has been an incredible journey. I’ve grown professionally and personally, made lasting connections, and gained invaluable experience in the field of material science. I am excited to apply what I have learned to my future endeavors!
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ITW Performance Polymers is an international leader in structural adhesives, grouting and chocking compounds, and wear-resistant coatings and repair products. Contact us to learn more about these products and their applications.