Pedro Ruvacalba can tell you a thing or two about a successful internship.
Ruvacalba interned for more than a year at Tower Structural Laminating (TSL) in Ligonier through an Ivy Tech program that connects students to internship opportunities.
According to www.indianaintern.net, more than 50% of interns eventually accept an employment offer from their host company, and he is one of them.
Ruvacalba, a West Noble High School graduate, is now the automation technician at TSL. National Scheduling Manager Rob Taylor uses the Ivy Tech program to prepare for the retirement of current senior technicians. “[Hiring] an intern made sense to pass on the years of experience and to bring in fresh ideas and education,” he said.
Internships are a great way to get hands-on experience in the workplace, and they can be an essential part of a career plan. “A career plan is the map that, even though the route may change, can get you to your objectives,” said Taylor. “Hard work plus a good plan is what makes it possible for someone to achieve what they want.” In short, internships can lead to full-time jobs.
Ruvacalba said classroom learning is good for building a foundation of knowledge, but on-the-job training is always applicable and relevant to the position, specifically. Internships provide that on-the-job training, and oftentimes the host company will offer tuition reimbursement for their interns. “We believe that when you invest in your associates, this investment will provide a return for the company as well,” said Taylor.
This kind of partnership benefits the entire community by attracting educated, upskilled workers to the area. Taylor recognizes that offering these opportunities is “key to retaining good talent."
“This internship that led to a full-time job gave my career a great start right after college,” said Ruvacalba. “I was able to start working in my field immediately after graduation.”
(If you are considering hiring an intern or applying for an internship locally, contact the Noble County Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC) at 260-636-3800 or visit noblecountyedc.com.)
NCEDC building displays historic mural
Last Thursday, Albion’s bicentennial mural was revealed after being hidden under a tarp for the previous week.
Local artist Daniel McDonald dedicated approximately 700 hours to this project. Now, the mural is mounted on the side of the Noble County Economic Development building as a source of pride and beauty in the county and the town of Albion. The groups who committed their time and efforts to this project are the Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Albion S.T.A.R. (Super Town of Albion Revitalization) Team.
Tammy Luce of the Brick Ark Inn described the tree in the middle as a dividing line, with the representations of the past on the left and depictions of the present on the right. Each depiction in the mural has a significance that is unique to Noble County.
