Student Labor and Summer Internship
Our office offers dynamic work experience for students. Our student employees are integral to our mission, contributing to real-world projects that enhance campus operations and support staff in achieving strategic goals.
Students actively participate in client meetings with campus staff pursuing Lean certification or seeking process improvement support. They don’t just observe, they engage in value stream mapping, assist with visual management design (often using tools like Canva), and take notes to support professional follow-up communications. These experiences help students develop critical thinking, communication, and project management skills.
In addition to project work, students benefit from a range of professional development opportunities designed to enhance their leadership and collaboration skills. They receive training in Results-Based Facilitation (RBF), a framework that equips them to guide groups through effective conversations and decision-making processes, especially in complex or high-stakes environments. Students also explore their personal communication and work styles through the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a personality assessment that fosters self-awareness. These experiences help students build confidence and competence in both individual and group settings.
If you’re interested in working with our office during the school year, you can let us know using the Contact Us form at the bottom of our home page.
Summer Internship Experience
Every summer, the Office of Continuous Improvement hosts a summer internship with up to 6 students. Our internship gives our students first-hand experience in the field of continuous improvement and project facilitation. Our interns carry out a process improvement project over two months, and each one obtains a Green Belt Certification from the University of Tennessee at the end of their internship.
Internship Snapshot
Skills Gained
Interns gain hands-on experience in CI methodology, LEAN thinking, project management, data analysis, consulting, facilitation, and more!
Certification
Interns complete a summer-long project, partnering with campus staff to improve a real process. Successful completion earns a Green Belt Certification in LEAN Applied to Business Processes, awarded by the University of Tennessee.
Networking
Interns connect with professionals who bring valuable experience in leadership and process improvement. This include attending events like the Network for Change and Continuous Innovation (NCCI) conference.
Environment
The office fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that prioritizes teamwork, innovation, and learning.
Intern Cohorts
As a part of their Green Belt project, Dylan and Megan collaborated with Farm Enterprises to create standards and prioritize safety. 
To address these issues, they implemented a set of safety protocols that included:
- Job Safety Analyses (JSAs)
- Training checklists for both staff-led and independent student sessions, and
- “Train the Trainer” guide
These countermeasures were designed to help staff train students and allow students to train their peers, making the training process more consistent and sustainable.
They achieved a Touch Time Savings of 31 minutes per individual training, which significantly reduced the time staff spend on repeated instruction each semester. Their Rolled Throughput Yield (accuracy percentage) improved from 32% to 86%, showing a major increase in training effectiveness and equipment use accuracy. Their work not only streamlined training but also strengthened the safety culture at the Farm, reducing risk and improving confidence for both staff and students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Current students can now apply for our Summer Internship Experience, through Handshake.