Husky To Hired: Internships bring opportunity at Fastenal

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By Andrea O'Neill '06

Time and again, employers from every industry and every geographic location cite an internship as one of the most valuable experiences a student can have before they graduate college. Fortunately for Bloom grads, Fastenal has been heavily involved in recruiting Huskies for their internship program and frequently asks them back as employees upon graduation.

Fastenal provides supply chain solutions for every major market in the U.S. Bloom grads fill positions within the company from regional finance manager to sales and supply chain associates, and many Huskies get their start as part of the company鈥檚 paid internship program.

鈥淏loom Students are phenomenal,鈥 said Robert Echternach, District Manager for Fastenal. "[They鈥檙e] receptive, communicative, and easy to work with. It鈥檚 success story after success story, and we continue to build on that.鈥

The internship program at Fastenal is a 12-week, paid experience that allows students to test their academic knowledge, practice professional communication, and explore different career avenues within the company. The internships can be done at any of the 2500 U.S. locations, improving the chances that Bloom students can live at home while they complete the experience. A high percentage of interns receive full-time positions.  
 
鈥淭he students who go to Bloom are getting hands-on experience and academics that truly prepare them to work,鈥 said Echternach. 鈥淚t sets students up for success; we see it with our organization, and I鈥檓 sure others see it. More times than not, individuals stay to create careers with us, and that鈥檚 what we want.鈥
 
The partnership with Bloomsburg extends beyond simply hiring Huskies. Fastenal is a regular participant in classroom presentations, a regular attendee at the ZIPD Conference, and a host for Husky Career Road Trips.
 
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the partnership that we鈥檝e built the last few years, said Echternach. 鈥淲hether they choose a career with Fastenal or not, it鈥檚 a win-win because we have the opportunity to work with bright talent, and they get the tools they need to succeed. It鈥檚 been working out well.鈥