Meet Ian and Colin! | High Schoolers in Manufacturing
It’s already been a busy summer here at HPI and it’s only the middle of June! Every year, HPI looks into bringing high school aged kids to job shadow or actually be hired in to help out where needed in the shop to get a feel for what the manufacturing industry is like. Along with getting hands on experience, these summer positions also give these students a taste of what having a job in the “real” world is like by teaching them soft skills such as showing up to work on time every day and being a part of a team. This year’s summer employees come from Adams Central High School and Norwell High School. Everyone meet Colin Rittmeyer and Ian Smith!
Colin Rittmeyer
Norwell/Senior
What made you seek out HPI as a place to work at for the summer?
My father works here and I’ve worked here before.
What types of things do you do at HPI?
I work in the sand room – extracting job boxes, cleaning cores and packing them to be shipped to foundries.
What do you enjoy about working at HPI?
I really enjoy the relaxed work environment.
What do you want to do as a career? Do you think that working at HPI during the summer will help you decide on what you want to do as a career?
I’ve been planning on going into the Marine Corps which I had decided to do 4 years ago.
Other than the job itself, what kind of things has HPI taught you?
How important attention to detail is.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing? What organizations are you involved in at school? Do you play sports?
Cooking, playing baseball and PT with the Marine Corps recruitment program.
Ian Smith
Adams Central/Junior
What made you seek out HPI as a place to work at for the summer?
I have seen all the things they do for their employees and I hope to make a career out of this.
What types of things do you do at HPI?
I do a lot of mold cleaning and then packing them to be shipped to foundries.
What do you enjoy about working at HPI?
Getting a half day on Friday.
What do you want to do as a career? Do you think that working at HPI during the summer will help you decide on what you want to do as a career?
I would like a career in machining or mold making and after working here I feel like my choice to do that has been justified.
Other than the job itself, what kind of things has HPI taught you?
Respect, honesty and work ethic
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing? What organizations are you involved in at school? Do you play sports?
I wrestle and play football. Last year I was part of the skills USA contest for machining and I placed fourth in the state for Milling Specialist.
While we understand the appeal of summer vacation for high school aged kids, we think it is really impressive that these students have seeked out local opportunities to make some extra cash. It is admirable, shows a good work ethic and we look forward to showing these students how we do it here at HPI. Welcome to the HPI family for the summer, Colin and Ian!
