Empowering Future Innovators: CoreWater Technologies and Oberlin College’s Micro-Internship Success
Last month, CoreWater Technologies concluded a micro-internship program in partnership with Oberlin College and their Career Exploration and Development (CED) office welcoming four Oberlin College students onto our team for a unique hands-on learning experience. A micro-internship is a short-term project-based internship which may last only a few weeks, with a potentially profound impact. In our case, the interns not only gained invaluable real-world experience; they also made meaningful contributions to CoreWater’s ongoing projects. This collaboration highlighted endless possibilities when companies partner with colleges to develop future talent.
Program Overview & Goals
The micro-internship program was born from a simple idea – bridging the gap between academic learning and industry practice. Together with CED, we designed a program that would give students a chance to ‘test-drive’ careers in our field while working on real projects. During the month of January, the interns would participate in active projects and receive mentorship from our team. Our goals are to provide students with a rich, hands-on educational experience and tap into their fresh ideas and energy to advance our work. The internship exposes students to various aspects of our operations; from laboratory research and data analysis to team meetings and even a glimpse into the business side of a tech startup. By doing so, every intern has the chance to connect their classroom knowledge to explore potential career paths and build professional skills in a short time frame.
At the same time, we set out clear, meaningful projects for the interns to tackle, designed to be approachable for students yet significant enough to add real value to our mission. We view micro-internships as a pilot initiative to talent development, hoping it will not only benefit the participants but also help us identify emerging talent for the future. From day one, the interns dove into work with enthusiasm. Under the guidance of our team, they got involved in daily tasks; whether assisting in the lab or brainstorming with the team during meetings. For some of the students, it was their first time in a professional R&D environment. They quickly learned how to navigate new laboratory instruments, all while adhering to our strict safety standards. More importantly, they learned how to apply their academic knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Experiential Learning in Practice
Each intern brought a unique perspective and background to the table. Three of the four were science majors, with one still undecided on a major but eager to explore. This diversity in academic focus enriched the experience. They each got a chance to gain deeper insight into analytical techniques and the business side of our work; an opportunity to help them discover where their passion might lie. Throughout the program, the interns were active team members: asking questions, offering new ideas, and collaborating with staff to solve challenges. One intern remarked how eye-opening it was to see science in action, a sentiment that encapsulates the very essence of experiential learning.
As an Oberlin-based clean water startup company, one of the most significant aspects of this program is seeing how it strengthens our ties with the local community. Oberlin College is right in our backyard, and partnering with its students allows us to engage with our community in a meaningful way. When students can find high-quality learning opportunities close to campus, they are more likely to consider building their careers in the area after graduation. By working with Oberlin students, we are helping build a local talent pipeline in Northeast Ohio.
Community engagement for us also means demystifying what a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) can look like. It is exciting to serve as a bridge between academics and industry. For the students, the benefits are clear: to develop practical skills, build resumes, and gain confidence in tackling real-world challenges head-on. Such outcomes are exactly what micro-internships are meant to achieve: providing a crucial first taste of industry experience.
For CoreWater Technologies, hosting these interns was fruitful. In discussing our projects with interns, the team was prompted to think differently and explain why we do the things we do; a process that often leads us to reflecting and sometimes refining our approaches.
Our mission is rooted in safeguarding the environment through innovative water treatment solutions. We are dedicated to ensuring that drinking water is free from forever chemicals and other contaminants. This micro-internship is an extension of that mission. How? First, tackling environmental challenges like water purification is a long-term process. By educating young scientists, we are helping cultivate the next generation of professionals who will carry on this critical work. Second, our company values include community responsibility and continuous learning. Hosting Oberlin College checked both boxes; we didn’t have to look far to find eager minds; they were right here. Many of our staff still remember mentors who guided them from early on, so this was a chance to pay it forward.
We always cultivate an environment where questions are welcome, thereby reflecting our continuous learning model. By sharing our expertise and values with the interns, we are helping shape future colleagues who will also care about science, community, and innovation. In return, their passion revives our purpose. The success of our micro-internship program with Oberlin College has been deeply encouraging, providing tremendous value in just a brief period.
In reflecting on this journey, we are filled with optimism. The interns’ curiosity reminds us why we started this work in the first place: to make a positive impact, not only on the environment but on the surrounding community as well. By engaging with OC students and helping develop talent, we are doing just that. We are immensely grateful to Oberlin College for their partnership, particularly the staff in the Career Exploration and Development (CED) office who coordinate this program.
Through programs like these, we are turning the passion of young talents into tangible progress, for our industry, our community, and a safer, cleaner environment.