Ethan Steinke’s passion for engineering began his freshman year of high school after several friends recommended that he take a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) class. Now, Ethan works as a collegiate intern with Genesis Plastics Welding creating prototypes of medical crisis equipment.
Meet Collegiate Biotech Manufacturing Intern Ethan Steinke
Ethan is a sophomore mechatronics major at Purdue Polytechnic Institute in Anderson, Indiana. This past spring, Ethan heard through his university that Genesis was looking for interns. After applying and attending a formal interview, Ethan was accepted into the program where he has worked for almost four months. 
“Interning with Genesis is great,” says Ethan. “It’s very easy to get acclimated there. They’ll let you be hands on, and if you mess up, they accept it. Genesis encourages you to learn from your mistakes and keep going.”
A typical Genesis workday begins at 8 am. Ethan spends his time either building CAD models or manually assembling medical equipment prototypes in what is called the “Clean Room.” Here, after suiting up in a gown and washing his hands, Ethan builds the parts he has digitally created, using heavy machinery to cut and weld the pieces. This process can take anywhere between three to eight hours depending on the quantity of pieces.
“It’s hard work, but it’s worth it,” says Ethan. “It’s so cool to see something you make actually come to fruition.”
It often takes teams of three or more engineers to complete a CAD project. As an intern, Ethan collaborates with his team and their supervisor, Nathan Glass.
“As a supervisor, Nathan makes sure our team is staying on track,” says Ethan. “He shows me how to properly do things so that I can get better. That’s the whole point of an internship; you’re not going to know everything, so the engineers at Genesis try to teach you.”
Throughout his internship thus far, Ethan has learned a variety of technical skills, including how to fabricate pieces using a variety of machines and equipment. In addition to these useful engineering skills, Ethan has adopted the values of hard work and dedication.
“This internship has taught me basic discipline, such as how to take orders and do things correctly,” says Ethan. “I have also learned about the importance of being open and honest with others.”
Ethan describes Genesis as a place that is inclusive and accepting of inspiring engineers. He is confident that his internship with Genesis will help set him up for future success.
“I want to be an engineer who helps people and makes sure the job gets done,” says Ethan. “The lessons I’ve learned at Genesis will always help me in the long run.”