Intern Spotlight: Stewart Nelson

Stewart Nelson

School/Degree: Illinois Institute of Technology | Major in Computer Science

Internship Area: Software Engineering Intern

Stewart is from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and recently graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Computer Science. Outside of school and work, he enjoys running, spending time with friends, writing, playing pickleball, and watching movies of any genre.

Discovering Hands on Opportunities

Stewart discovered Design Ready Controls through his cousin, who works here and loves it. After interviewing with Mary and Will, he quickly realized it would be a great place to intern. Stewart shared, “I really liked the way Will emphasized that the work I’d be doing would play a big part in the final project.” He could immediately tell it would be a very hands-on environment, which was especially appealing to him.

Meaningful Work and Supportive Teams

So far, Stewart appreciates the size of the company, noting, “The company is at a great size where you can see all aspects of the business, but still be hands-on with many different projects.” He values how willing his team is to help and answer questions, describing them as easy to communicate with, approachable, driven, and smart—all qualities he admires in a team. Stewart enjoys coming to work each day and loves that he is always learning something new.

A Passion for Software and Continuous Growth

Stewart has genuinely enjoyed his time at Design Ready Controls and hopes to pursue a career in software development. This internship has provided him with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the many facets of the field. Looking ahead, Stewart shares, “I would love to just keep learning more and apply my skills in new ways.” He has found his work especially rewarding, seeing tasks become more efficient and recognizing his own growth along the way.

Driving Efficiency with PDM: Stewart’s Latest Project

Currently, Stewart is implementing a new package from SolidWorks called Product Data Management (PDM), that will be used by the Design Ready Fabrication team. This tool streamlines workflow by tracking completed tasks, helping team members stay organized and monitor progress. Stewart describes it as “a way to keep people on track and for them to see how their work is doing.” As a brand-new addition to the company, PDM will be used daily, and Stewart is excited to see it come to life and eventually empower even more people to work efficiently.

Looking Forward

After this summer, Stewart plans to continue expanding his knowledge in software and computer science while searching for job opportunities. He would love to work in the Twin Cities or Chicago but is also open to exploring positions abroad. As Stewart put it, “There’s no better time to try something totally different than the moment I’m in right now.”