Through cooperative efforts between DACC and local industry, two DACC students, Brian Rudin and Mansi Naik, began working at Watchfire™, designers and producers of electronic message centers.    Both students work directly with Lou Reik, Watchfire’s electrical engineer.  Brian works with the research and development branch of the company performing temperature tests to collect data used to analyze the heat rise within the sign cabinet.  In addition, he has built prototypes of new signs with the intent of testing electrical and mechanical function. Mansi is currently working on the final testing of the Watchfire’s custom software.  Both students have found the experience beneficial.  Brian confidently states, “Having this internship with a well known company and dealing with very technological equipment is a great experience for me and my future.”  In addition to gaining experience related to the engineering field, both are earning much needed dollars to fund their education.  The company has also found the interns to be beneficial, especially compared to interns that have no background in engineering.  Lou Reik says, “I find the engineering students to be able to take brief instructions and go with them.  They are well prepared to work with software without training and they also appreciate what we are trying to do because they see the big picture.”

Timeomatic continues to hire students from Danville Area Community College.  This past year, Clinton Weir worked for Timematic and currently, Matt Ellermets and Brendon Smith work at timeomatic.