The case for interns

Abstract

As budgets shrink and headcount is reduced, the level and performance expectation of automation systems in pulp and paper mills is increasing. At the same time, engineers are being pulled in multiple directions, some of which arenpsilat even related to engineering. Layoffs, hiring freezes and early retirements are raising the average age of electrical engineering personnel in mills. Negative publicity due to the above and other factors have detracted many new graduates from even considering the pulp and paper industry as a career. While there are several different ways of addressing the above problems, this paper will focus on the use of engineering interns as an efficient and inexpensive way to help get the work done in the mill while exposing potential future employees to the pulp and paper industry.