When people ask Dave Smith, the service manager at the Michigan State University (MSU) Recycling Center, what he likes most about his job he’s quick to say that it’s working with the student employees.
“There is a great energy that students bring to the materials recovery facility (MRF),” Smith said. “There’s an inquisitiveness and a desire to learn. I think sometimes as professionals we often get into a rut in our jobs and students have a unique way of pulling us out of that situation by asking good questions and challenging us to take a new approach.”
The center has about 90 employees including 30 student workers. In the surplus store, student employees oversee stocking shelves or helping process electronics for recycling and resale. MSU has two full-time staff members at its MRF and typically between 6-10 student workers for a given shift.
“The students do a variety of jobs like running the baler, moving clam trucks, or working on sortation,” said Christopher Hewitt, the operations coordinator at the surplus store and recycling center. “Essentially, if they had to, our student employees would be able to run the facility. Taking on these roles gives them important job experience.”
While he was an MSU student 13 years ago, Hewitt applied to work at the surplus store and recycling facility on the sortation line. It gave him a great introduction to recycled materials the experience led him toward a career path in the industry. After graduation, he worked in recycling centers, yards, and municipal settings before finding his current job at MSU five years ago.
“Student employees have great ideas and are very willing to try new things,” he said. “We also have student shift leaders who help supervise and train students to catch them up to speed. It’s a fast-paced environment, and we want students who really believe in the mission of the work.”
According to Smith, while hiring students or recent graduates to your recycling facility may involve some additional effort, the payoff is worth the time and investment.
“Our student employees give me energy,” he said. “To a certain extent you are helping to guide them as they think through career options. We’ve had some students come in who just saw this as a way to make money in an unrelated major, but they come away excited about sustainability and recycling and often change their major and are excited about going into the world and pursuing a career in this space.”
For recyclers who are looking to hire interns or students, Smith strongly recommends taking the time to integrate them into your existing culture and showing them the whole process of your work and operations.
ReMA’s Pathways Program offers paid fellowship and internship opportunities for current and recent graduates. As Pathway participants, students are immersed in career opportunities in the recycled materials industry at one of ReMA’s member companies.
The Pathways program is designed to provide ReMA members with another resource to attract talent, fill workforce needs and critical competency gaps, support diversity efforts, and supplement the competitive hiring process. Vetted candidates are matched with ReMA members based on their interests, skills, location, and availability.
“Students are inquisitive and are going to ask questions,” Smith said. “They may help give a fresh perspective that ends up helping you improve one of your processes or procedures. Don’t be hesitant to hire on a recent grad or a student because while they may sometimes be a little green to the industry or in general, there’s a great payoff to your workforce.”
The Pathways Program is a no-cost service provided to all members. Any interested member is encouraged to reach out to Robby Brice, Program Coordinator-Youth Outreach and Workforce Development, at rbrice@recycledmaterials.org.
Photos Courtesy of MSU.
