Electrical Maintenance Intern, Carter Grass, has made the most of his time at Prairie State, gaining valuable hands-on experience while continuing to build on the skills he’s learning at Ranken Technical College.
Throughout his internship, Carter has worked alongside the Electrical Maintenance team on a wide variety of day-to-day tasks. From replacing motors and rewiring electrical panels, to troubleshooting equipment, working with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and replacing lighting throughout the conveyor belts at the plant, each day brought new opportunities to apply the concepts he has learned at school and more.
One of Carter’s biggest areas of growth was troubleshooting and working with PLCs. While he had little experience with PLCs before starting his internship, the hands-on environment allowed him to quickly build his knowledge and confidence. Beyond the technical skills, Carter says one of the most valuable lessons he has learned is the importance of teamwork and keeping an open mind. “I’ve learned to listen and understand that everyone is good at different things,” Carter shared. “I’ve learned a lot from the people I work with here.”
Looking back, Carter feels he is well on his way to accomplishing the goals he set at the beginning of the summer, including improving his troubleshooting skills, expanding his technical knowledge, and continuing to develop every day within his position. Carter says one of his favorite parts of the internship has been working alongside the electrical maintenance team. “I like being around all the guys in the shop,” he said. “They’re always willing to help you learn and make sure you’re hands-on with every job we do.”
Thinking about his experience this summer, Carter says his biggest takeaway is to stay open-minded and learn from everyone, because they all bring different perspectives and experiences to the job. Carter will return to Ranken Technical College this fall to continue studying electrical automation and control systems before pursuing a career in the electrical industry.
We thank Carter for his hard work and dedication this summer and wish him continued success in the future!