By Sam Goldberg, Econocorp COO
At Econocorp, we believe in the power of hands-on education via packaging industry internship programs to shape the next generation of engineers and manufacturing professionals. Our partnership with Randolph High School exemplifies this commitment, creating meaningful opportunities for students to bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world application. What started as a simple internship program has evolved into something far more impactful.
Together, Econocorp and Randolph HS have partnered to create a transformative packaging industry internship program that positively changes students' lives, provides opportunities for mentorship, and a win for our entire workplace culture.
The Employee Perspective on OEM Internships
When Stu Webb, our Initial Assembly Manager, first met Matthew Do and Michele Han, he saw two timid high school students walking through our doors. Over the course of their internship, he witnessed a remarkable transformation that reminded him why education partnerships matter so much.
"I saw two timid high school students walk into the building and evolve into confident, diligent workers," Webb reflects. "I was honestly impressed by how respectful, polite, and hardworking they were. They exceeded our expectations."
Webb brings considerable expertise to his mentoring role. With 35 years at Econocorp, he started building machines before moving into management, where he now oversees initial assembly, kitting, and prebuild operations. His deep understanding of manufacturing processes, from building machines to managing inventory for purchased and fabricated parts, makes him uniquely qualified to guide students through the complexities of modern manufacturing.
Working alongside Webb was Maria Spinola, an assembler in the prebuild department who became instrumental in the students' day-to-day training. For Spinola, who joined Econocorp just over three years ago, the experience of mentoring represented her own remarkable full-circle journey from student to teacher.
"When Maria first came here, she didn't even know what an Allen wrench was," Webb explains. "I trained her on how to prebuild, use specific tools, and understand layouts. She went from a student to a teacher. Now she helps return parts to inventory, restock kit carts, and assists across departments. Her transformation has been remarkable, and she passed that training forward to the interns beautifully."
The mentoring dynamic worked seamlessly, with Webb handling the big-picture training—teaching students to read layouts and blueprints—while Spinola provided day-to-day guidance, demonstrations, and hands-on learning opportunities. Their complementary approaches ensured students received comprehensive training while building meaningful relationships with their mentors.
"It was very rewarding," Webb says. "I went to their school presentation, and they had so many nice things to say about Econocorp. Both students want to go into engineering, and it's encouraging to think they could help shape the future. They brought energy, work ethic, and enthusiasm that made me feel hopeful about the next generation."
Learning by Doing: The Student Experience with OEM Internships
For Matthew Do and Michele Han, the OEM internship began as part of Randolph High School's Senior Internship program, designed to give aspiring engineering students real-world exposure to their potential careers. Both incoming engineering students—Matthew heading to UMass Lowell for electrical engineering and Michele to Northeastern for bioengineering—they initially weren't sure how manufacturing would connect to their career goals.
"As aspiring engineering majors, we wanted to get a better idea of what our futures might look like," Matthew explains. "Initially, our roles as manufacturing interns didn't seem directly related to engineering. But we quickly learned how connected they are—manufacturing is essentially the result of engineering. The experience helped us appreciate how the two areas work together."
Their academic advisor connected them with Econocorp, setting the stage for an experience that would exceed everyone's expectations. The students were told to "go in with an open mind and be sponges," advice they took to heart.
The learning curve was steep but well-supported. Michele recalls her first-day nervousness: "I didn't know anything about the tools or how to read the paperwork for the machines. I was really nervous at first. On the first day, I had to make a part but didn't know how to use a wrench. I was struggling, and Maria came over and watched me. That made me even more nervous!"
That moment became a turning point that perfectly captured the Econocorp culture. "Then she asked if I knew how to use it, and I said no. She laughed a little but then helped me—and that's when I knew this was a really welcoming environment. Everyone here is so kind and willing to help me learn," Michele remembers.
The support extended beyond individual moments of confusion. "During our first week, anytime we didn't know which materials to grab, Maria would stop what she was doing to help us out," Matthew adds. "That says a lot about how much she cares."
Their learning encompassed both technical skills and broader professional competencies. "We learned how to use tools, read pneumatic diagrams, and strip wires," Matthew notes. "I don't usually do hands-on work—just gardening at home—so this was all new to me. We also improved our quality control skills. Building the same parts repeatedly taught us about tolerances and standards. It made us better thinkers and more detail-oriented."
The packaging industry internship program provided far more than technical training—it became a catalyst for personal growth and professional development. For Michele, who describes herself as shy, the experience pushed her well beyond her comfort zone in ways that will serve her throughout her career.
"I've learned to get out of my comfort zone. I'm shy, and being around new people was nerve-wracking. But everyone was so kind," Michele reflects. The impact was so profound that what began as a school credit requirement transformed into something she actively pursued.
"Originally, I did the internship for school credit, but I loved it so much I asked if I could stay for the summer," Michele shares. "I never told anyone this, but on my last day, I cried because I missed everyone. They genuinely cared about us."
Both students demonstrated remarkable work ethic and professional behavior that impressed their mentors. "They were extremely punctual, had great time management, and were ready to work every day," Webb observes. "They weren't afraid to ask questions. Their shyness faded quickly."
The students' attention to detail particularly stood out. "Their attention to detail was amazing," Webb notes. "They didn't miss a single washer or bolt placement. We even checked their work with our quality control method—tightened bolts marked with black marker—and everything was perfect."
Perhaps most importantly, the students developed a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.
"Even though they want to be engineers, they weren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and do hands-on work. That's huge," Webb emphasizes. "And they wanted to finish what they started, which is rare. It's refreshing to see that level of responsibility."
This commitment to completion led both students to return for summer work, determined to see their projects through. "We originally thought we'd only be there through the school year, but we came back to finish what we started. It felt really rewarding," Matthew explains.
A Structured Approach to Meaningful Learning with OEM Internships
What distinguished this OEM internship from typical high school work experiences was its structured, project-focused approach. Rather than rotating students through various departments for general tasks, Econocorp created a comprehensive program centered on actual machine builds that would contribute meaningfully to company operations.
The students worked on prebuilding components for ten E2000 <link to page> machines, giving them sustained experience with a complete manufacturing process. This approach aligned with Econocorp's broader business strategy of returning to simpler machines for quick sale and delivery, making the students' work immediately relevant to company goals.
"This is the first time we implemented a structured plan where they focus solely on machine builds," Webb explains. "We've had high school students before, but they were bounced around doing general help."
The structured approach yielded impressive results. By prebuilding components in batches, the process reduces final assembly time from six days to five days per machine—time savings that add up significantly across multiple builds. The students contributed directly to this efficiency improvement while gaining a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing processes.
Webb describes the process using an apt analogy: "Building the prebuilds is like putting together the picture on the puzzle box. But assembling the full machine is like figuring out the middle pieces without a clear guide." For their summer return, the students advanced to full machine builds, tackling the more complex challenges of running electrical lines, tubing, and assembling functioning machines.
Beyond Packaging Industry Internship Programs: Culture and Community
The students quickly recognized what makes Econocorp special as both an employer and community partner goes far beyond our packaging industry internship programs. Our commitment to education extends far beyond work tasks to building genuine relationships and creating an inclusive environment where learning flourishes.
"Before I started, I read their mission statement, and it really resonated with me. They value both customers and employees. That's rare and refreshing," Matthew notes. This commitment to values became evident in daily interactions and company culture.
Company events like pizza parties and cornhole tournaments showed students they were valued as individuals, not just workers. "Before the annual maintenance shutdown, the company hosted a pizza party and cornhole tournament. That showed how much they care about us beyond just work," Matthew recalls.
The mentoring approach emphasized encouragement over criticism, creating an environment where questions were welcomed and learning was celebrated. "They encouraged questions and made everything feel like a learning experience," Matthew explains. "It wasn't that we were dumb—we just needed to learn. Their humor also made it fun and kept us excited about coming back each day."
This positive culture extended throughout the organization. "Same as we saw—reliable, punctual, friendly, and very coachable," Webb notes about feedback from other team members. "People across the building noticed their positive attitude. They even helped with tasks like cleaning aluminum, buffing parts, and using the drill press. They weren't shy about learning new things."
The OEM internship experience provided Matthew and Michele with advantages that will serve them well in their engineering studies and future careers. The hands-on exposure to manufacturing processes gave them insights that many of their college peers will lack–and being part of that is something we’re proud of.