Student gains valuable career experience through internship

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

Thanks to an internship at Mobile Track Solutions (MTS) in Elkader, MFL MarMac senior Caleb Zuercher is gaining valuable career experience before even graduating from high school. 

Zuercher was introduced to MTS two years ago, on a manufacturing tour. He enjoyed the visit and inquired about a job shadow—an opportunity that eventually led to a job this past summer.

With a lighter class load his senior year, he hoped to continue at the manufacturer through both the first and second semesters of the school year as part of an internship.

“I wanted to find something that I for sure knew I wanted to go to college for. This past summer, I worked out at Mobile Track Solutions in the product support department and I really enjoyed it. All the guys were really easy to work with,” Zuercher explained. “So I can work every morning and then go to school in the afternoon. It’s a paid internship, so that’s also nice, and it’s three credits for school.”

Some of Zuercher’s duties have included power washing, cleaning, picking parts, wiring, tearing things apart and putting them back together and assisting service techs. When he turns 18 this month, he will be able to operate a hoist and forklift.

MTS Internal Equipment Manager and Zuercher’s supervisor, Steve Gray, further elaborated.

“Caleb works throughout the shop to gain broad, hands-on experience. He typically begins his day by picking parts from the warehouse to support technicians, delivering those parts to the repair facility and assisting directly in repairs. His experience has included exposure to tearing down axle components, rebuilding engine cooling systems and removing and installing major tractor components such as engines, transmissions, cabs and axles—providing a well-rounded view of our service operations,” Gray explained.

Zuercher has also supported the warehousing team, particularly during times when technicians were working in the field. Gray said this included picking and kitting parts for scraper assembly and preparing customer orders. 

“Exposure to multiple departments helps him understand how each area contributes to the overall success of the business and how collaboration across teams produces positive results,” Gray noted.

In addition to these hands-on skills, Zuercher said he’s learned how to better communicate with others and work as a team.

“Our floor lead, Steve Gray, he really pushes us as a team. When you have a leader and everybody gets along, it really makes things work. I’ve learned a lot,” Zuercher shared.

He will utilize all he’s learned after graduating from MFL MarMac, while pursuing a two-year degree in diesel tech and minor in ag business. 

“I chose the major diesel tech because of how I got to go out and explore what’s out there in the career field as a senior in high school,” Zuercher said.

He would love to continue working at MTS while pursuing his degree and beyond.

MTS said offering job shadows, on-the-job training and potential internship opportunities allows the company to introduce local students to the work MTS does and the careers available in a local community. 

“Exposure to skilled trades and related career paths is an important part of building a strong local talent pipeline, and we’re proud to help students explore fields that may lead to future employment with us,” MTS stated.

These experiences also support long-term recruiting efforts. MTS knows some young adults want to stay in or eventually return to the area after graduation, and the company wants them to understand what local employers can offer to make that a realistic option. 

“Over the past year, we’ve hosted several groups of high school and college students for facility tours. We’ve encouraged Caleb to speak with them and share his personal experience, as hearing directly from a peer provides a more relatable and authentic perspective than information coming solely from management,” MTS said.

By partnering to provide experiences during high school, MTS helps students develop practical employability skills while adding value to its own operations. 

The company said, “in rural areas like ours, students often have limited exposure to modern manufacturing and skilled trade environments, which can restrict their awareness of viable, local career opportunities. These structured experiences allow us to invest not only in individual students, but in the long-term sustainability of our workforce and community.”

Zuercher hopes other students explore their career interests in high school, whether through job shadows or internships.

“You may hate it or love it,” he acknowledged, “but I think it really gives an idea of what you want to do and what you don’t want to do, if you want to go to college for that field or you don’t.”

“Personally, I have benefited from it because I can do those types of things while still being in school,” Zuercher continued. “I found what I wanted to do while still in high school.”