Support a Former Ford Employee’s Education

I got an email last week, from Dan, a long-time Ford employee who took a buyout and is now working on a college degree. He's looking for a company (local to him in Sterling Heights, MI) where he can do some unpaid internship project work that will go toward his degree. Dan agreed to have me share his request — you can email me via the link in the left column and I'll play go between between you and Dan.

Dan wrote:

In brief, I took the Ford Motor Educational Buyout in “2006” and am currently a full time Ferris State University student. In the near future, I will be requested to research and develop a thesis as my final requirement to receive my degree in Industrial Technology and Management.

Presently, I am looking for a company that would allow me to be part of a team involved in process improvements within their facilities or of a customer.

I am willing to work for no income or benefits in order to have the opportunity to accomplish my task.

After I asked a few questions, Dan replied:

Ferris State University administers the program at various satellite locations; mine in particular is Macomb Community College in Warren. At Ford Motor Co. I held an assortment of hourly positions in their Interior/Exterior Component Systems Plant in Utica, finalizing my stay there with a Hydraulic-Repair Journeyman position; all said and done I spent twenty-one years at the facility. As far as a “time table” is concerned, that answer is slightly based on the pace of the program and management's commitment, personally I would hope that it would be no longer than a quarter.

I certainly wish Dan best wishes for his education and career transition. I hope someone out there can help him out.