How an Engineering Internship at Wabash Led to a Full-Time Career
July 21, 2026
For many engineering students, an internship is more than a summer job. It’s an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge, gain hands-on experience and discover what a future career might look like.
For Trine University student Aylee Rupert, an internship with Wabash MPI-Carver became exactly that.
What began as a summer internship evolved into two years of engineering experience, professional growth and ultimately a full-time position with the company after graduation.
Gaining Real-World Engineering Experience
Engineering concepts learned in the classroom provide an important foundation, but there is no substitute for applying those skills in a real manufacturing environment.
During her internship with Wabash MPI-Carver, Aylee worked alongside experienced engineers on projects that contributed to the company’s product development efforts. Her responsibilities included converting existing 2D CAD designs into 3D parts and assemblies, helping modernize engineering resources and support future design work.
She also contributed to the development of a new accessory product that is now listed in the Wabash MPI-Carver product catalog.
Working on projects with tangible business value gave Aylee the opportunity to see how engineering ideas move from concept to implementation while gaining experience with industry-standard design practices and tools.
Learning from Experienced Mentors
One of the most valuable aspects of any internship is the opportunity to learn from professionals who have spent years developing their expertise.
Throughout her time at Wabash MPI-Carver, Aylee worked closely with experienced engineers who helped strengthen both her technical skills and confidence as an engineer.
That mentorship will continue in her full-time role, where she will train with a senior engineer and gain a deeper understanding of Wabash and Carver press technologies, engineering processes and customer applications.
For students entering the workforce, access to knowledgeable mentors can be just as valuable as the technical experience gained on the job.
Building Skills Beyond the Classroom
Internships provide opportunities to develop skills that cannot always be learned in a lecture hall.
By contributing to real engineering projects, Aylee gained firsthand exposure to product development, CAD modeling, manufacturing environments and the collaboration required to bring engineering solutions to life.
She also experienced the importance of communication, problem-solving and continuous learning, qualities that play a critical role in long-term engineering success.
These experiences helped reinforce her confidence in her abilities and provided a clearer vision for her future career.
“Now I know I’m a good engineer,” Aylee said when reflecting on her experience.
When Internships Become Careers
At Wabash MPI-Carver, internships are designed to provide meaningful experiences that help students develop professionally while contributing to real projects.
For Aylee, that experience led to a full-time engineering opportunity following graduation.
As she begins the next chapter of her career, she’ll continue building on the skills she developed during her internship while learning from experienced team members who are helping prepare the next generation of engineers.
Her story demonstrates the value of hands-on learning, mentorship and taking advantage of opportunities that challenge you to grow.
Start Your Engineering Career with Wabash
Whether you’re pursuing a degree in engineering technology, mechanical engineering, manufacturing or a related field, internship opportunities at Wabash MPI-Carver provide the chance to gain practical experience, work on meaningful projects and learn from experienced professionals.
For students looking to bridge the gap between classroom learning and a rewarding engineering career, an internship can be the first step toward something much bigger.