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Usually first-year undergraduates are just getting their feet wet in academia, but through Lafayette’s alumni-guided externship program Marquis Scholar Adam Lessen’10 (Dresher, Pa.) got the chance to explore post-graduate options at Crayola in Easton.
Over the winter interim, Lessen shadowed A.B. engineering graduate Michael Miletics ’95, manager of plant and facilities engineering at Crayola. Lessen attended meetings with executives from the company’s engineering and plant operations teams, and observed how Miletics reduces waste and increases profit by creating more efficient processes. Lessen also toured the factory where markers and crayons are made and saw how wax is turned into the company’s famous crayons.
Lessen learned about the many resources available at Lafayette that he can use to make valuable connections which will benefit him when he applies for jobs.
“Working alongside an alumnus I thought might have been intimidating at first, but [Miletics] was very understanding and helpful, and I was comfortable asking my questions and being at Crayola,” says Lessen.
Miletics enjoys serving as a resource for students who want to explore the engineering field.
“It is rewarding for me to have the opportunity to work for a company that supports these types of initiatives,” he says. “I enjoy sharing my personal experiences with students, so they can better appreciate how important an education is for one to be successful. The A.B. engineering program provides a strong foundation in many business areas beyond engineering.”
Miletics has participated in the externship program for almost 10 years and believes it is important to help young “soon-to-be” engineers better understand what manufacturing engineering is and what role this type of engineering has in companies like Crayola.
“Adam is like many students that have participated in the externship program – he had questions about what educational path to take and how his decision will position his future job opportunities,” says Miletics. “I explained what my criteria would be when hiring an engineer. I shared my thoughts as to how he could apply his education into the global economy and job market.”
Lessen is a board member of Hillel Society.
Chosen from among Lafayette’s most promising applicants, Marquis Scholars like Lessen receive a special academic scholarship and distinctive educational experiences and benefits. This includes a three-week, Lafayette-funded course abroad or in the United States during January’s interim session between semesters or the summer break. Marquis Scholars also participate in mentoring programs with Lafayette faculty and cultural activities in major cities and on campus.