By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A University of Arizona engineering student said she worries about standing out after graduation, but a paid internship at Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Ground is giving her hands-on experience her peers may not have.
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A 2024 study by the National Association of Colleges and Employersfound that students who completed paid internships during college were about 30% more likely to receive a job offer.
“You just learn so much more when you can immerse yourself in what you’ve learned in a classroom setting — and you can also maybe fail once or twice,” said Tina Czerwinski, Caterpillar Tucson Proving Ground facility manager.
Tucson students among hundreds of Caterpillar interns nationwide
Elena Valenzuela is one of roughly two dozen interns currently working in the Tucson area through Caterpillar. Approximately 600 interns are working at various Caterpillar locations nationwide.
“How can I put myself apart? How can I separate myself from other students? I mean, we all take the same classes, we all do similar projects,” Valenzuela said.
Interns work with mentors, see career options
Interns at the Tucson Proving Ground work one-on-one with mentors and have the option to switch roles if a position is not the right fit.
Valenzuela said the flexibility surprised her. “They said, well, the limit is CEO. Like, you could go from product design to even customer service,” she said.
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Company invests early in long-term talent
Many interns return for a second summer with Caterpillar, and more than half go on to be hired as full-time employees.
“We’re investing in that talent early because we see these interns having a long career within Caterpillar,” Czerwinski said.
Caterpillar has internships open for this summer and fall with various application deadlines. You can find the opportunities HERE.
Isabela Lisco is a Report for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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