Intern Spotlight: Violet Kerkhoff
School/Degree: University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management | Degree in Human Resources
Internship: Human Resources Intern
Violet is from Woodbury, Minnesota, and is currently studying at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. In her free time, she enjoys volleyball, hiking, rock climbing, and game nights with friends.
Finding the Right Fit
She first learned about Design Ready Controls through her university’s Maroon and Gold Program, which is designed to connect students with career guidance and mentorship. After exploring the wide variety of internship opportunities available, Violet was especially drawn to Design Ready Controls. She shared, “I liked that their program had a lot of interns, and after looking at the company’s Instagram and seeing all the fun activities they do, it made me even more excited to apply.” Violet appreciates the company’s team culture and the balance between working hard and having fun.
Contributing to a Welcoming Workplace
At Design Ready Controls, Violet is currently working on audits that help keep the company aligned with applicable state, local, and federal laws. She is also leading the production floor’s locker cleanout, which includes clearing out lockers, removing personal items, and installing new locks. Violet has enjoyed her time at Design Ready Controls so far, saying, “I really like the work environment here, everyone is always willing to help each other.” She values the support she receives from her coworkers each day. In addition, Violet has enjoyed helping with new hires and being part of their first-day experience. She says, “I think it is really important the new employees to feel more comfortable.” Overall, she is grateful to contribute to a welcoming work atmosphere.
Bringing People and Business Together
Violet has not always known she wanted a career in Human Resources, but she found it as a great way to combine her interests in people and business. She explains, “I really enjoy talking to people and working with them, but I also wanted to work in business, Human Resources gives me the ability to do both.” She has especially enjoyed working with Human Resources Generalist Jacob Vetsch, who she describes as approachable and helpful. Violet shared, “If I ever have any questions about anything, he is always ready to answer them. Jacob doesn’t ever make me feel like any question is a bad question.” Violet appreciates being part of a supportive team that wants her to succeed.
A Value That Resonates
From the beginning, Violet has been drawn to Design Ready Controls’ company values, especially Candor. She says the company demonstrates this value through its commitment to employee safety and open communication. Violet explains, “The company values open honesty. If you have a close call, you can speak up without getting in trouble because sharing information helps keep everyone safe. I think that’s really important in a manufacturing facility.” Violet is happy to work in an environment where her thoughts and concerns are heard.
Next Steps
Violet plans to continue pursuing her degree in Human Resources. She is grateful for the experience she has gained through her internship and looks forward to continuing to learn more about the field and where her career may take her.
