A Day in the Life of an Auto Diesel Technician

NAME: Felicia Bennett TITLE: Design Drafter DEPARTMENT: Corporate Engineering, Systems Group 1. What is your position at McKee? Design Drafter 2. How long have you been in this role? 1 year 3. Did you start in this role at McKee or did you do a different job within the company prior to this? I started out as a drafting intern in the engineering department for 10 months. After I graduated from college I was offered a full time position. 4. How would you describe your career to someone unfamiliar with it? My job is to create a 3D design based on our plant needs; from platforms, piping routes, carts, and full system designs then create drawings to have either our company fabrication department or contractors fabricate the design and oversee the install. 5. What does a typical day look like for you? Every day is different but when creating these designs I usually have to begin with gathering information and dimensions. To have this work I usually go into our facility and take measurements using calipers, measuring tapes, 3D scans of the rooms and laser distometers. Not every project that I do needs all of these tools but usually a measuring tape will do the trick. To create the model design I use Solidworks and if I need to create a building or room layout I use AutoCAD. McKee takes drafting a bit further and allows me to have responsibility over ordering / purchasing parts, and installation oversight of my designs. 6. What do you enjoy most about your career? I enjoy seeing my designs come to life. Seeing it as a 3D model is one thing, normally it looks small on the screen but after the design is completely finished and installed its very large in comparison. It is so satisfying to see the finished product and know that I made that. 7. What kind of education or training opportunities did you take to become successful? Certification for Solidworks associate version which is a general knowledge of the software Certified in Microsoft Word and Power-Point Associates Degree in Engineering Systems Technology that came with a certification for Mechanical Drafting, Civil Drafting, and Architectural Drafting On the job training and learning how things function in an industry setting 7A. Did you pursue a traditional four-year degree? If so, where? 7B. If you did not pursue a four-year degree: What educational path, workforce development or on-the-job training have you had? Associates degree as noted above 8. What would you tell a high school student or adult considering a career similar to yours? I would tell them that it is a really interesting field to pursue that no matter what you’re working on whether it’s an architectural building, a civil landscape, or a mechanical design it will not have a dull moment. There is always something different that gives you challenges and it’s very interesting to try and decide how to overcome this obstacle. I know when I started at McKee there were mistakes but as I continued I learned from every mistake and started getting better and better at my job. 9. What training do you feel is most valuable to someone considering a career similar to yours? The most valuable training for me would be taking courses that prepared me for operating the software’s but also having on the job training. There’s only so much that you can learn in a school setting compared to the kind of experience and knowledge that comes with on the job training. I have learned so much from doing hands on training that continues to grow every day I come into work. Classes that catered to understanding Solidworks and AutoCAD were the most beneficial courses that I took that prepared me for the industry.9A. How did that training prepare you for your job now? It made it a lot easier when I started my job because I already had a working knowledge of the software. There was still a lot to learn but it gave me a really good jumping off point so that I could learn how McKee’s drawings, models, and diagrams are setup. 10. What’s it like working for McKee Foods? McKee Foods is a great place to work. Since I started working for McKee I have learned a lot from my coworkers and have been given a chance to grow and learn how to be better at my job. 10A. What do you enjoy the best about working at McKee Foods? Everyday it’s always something different. One day you might be making a platform and the next working on piping routes. There is always something new that keeps you on your toes. My favorite thing is the people. It doesn’t matter where you are between the offices or the plant you always feel like you’re around family. 11. Is there anything else you’d like to add about working at McKee or your career?

ome mid-career folks start to dream of exotic vacations or buying a beach condo. Some dream of buying that car they always wanted. Some dream of home improvements. But for Pam Burchard, market research analyst at McKee Foods, the dream is to finish her four-year degree with a little help from McKee Foods’ tuition assistance employee benefit. “The days of only having an associate’s degree are long gone in terms of being seen as a competitor in the hiring process,” Pam says. “It’s one of those things that once you’ve worked hard to earn that higher education, no one can take it away from you.” While Pam’s daughter, who has just embarked on her own college career, is filling her head with conquering all the world’s possibilities, Pam’s taking on a lofty educational goal at 54 years young (and 34 years since her last day in a classroom) was quite a bit more daunting. Doing it while working full-time is a whole other story. But it sure gets a lot easier when you have a great support system to help make it happen.

Each year, we bring in some of the best and brightest students from the college ranks to intern at McKee Foods. Our internships provide hands-on experience and exposure to our business in many areas, including Engineering, Information Technology, Sales and Marketing, Logistics, Research & Development, Fleet Maintenance and more. There are many reasons to take advantage of our exciting, paid internship opportunities at our corporate campus in Collegedale, Tennessee and occasionally at our plant locations in Gentry, Arkansas and Stuarts Draft, Virginia. Kenneth, an Intern in our Forecasting and Planning department says, “Interning at McKee Foods while working on my degree has granted experience that is crucial for my career development and future job prospects, while also providing income while I’m in school.” Gain Valuable Work Experience Our interns have so much to gain from their time here with us at McKee Foods. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to meet and network with our leaders and management teams through events and daily interactions. Our leaders believe in our people. When speaking to our interns who have the potential to become the future of our company, they’re eager to share their successes, lessons learned and industry insights that are valuable to them as they grow in their careers. Wyatt, an Architectural intern, says, “My internship at McKee Foods has allowed me to see real-life problem solving and has shown me the iteration and processes associated with solving those problems.” Our interns work alongside and learn from experienced professionals to help solve real-world problems that impact our business, adding significant value to our company and to their resume. Why Internships Are Important An internship with McKee Foods can take you in many directions. It can help you set goals for your long-term career and give valuable insight into the intricacies of a job, our company and the whole industry. An internship with us can also grow your professional network, helping you connect with and build relationships with people across the company that will help you propel your career. This experience may also lead to a full-time position when your college education comes to a close. D’Sean, a Retail Relations Intern says, “The opportunities for growth here are tremendous. I’m confident I’ve found a career at McKee Foods—not just a job.” Who wouldn’t want to have a head start after graduation? Join the fun! Explore opportunities here and apply to be an intern at McKee Foods today.