Bridgestone Americas and Nashville State Launch Paid Manufacturing-Focused Internship

Nashville State Community College and Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations’ truck and bus radial tire plant in LaVergne, Tennessee, have launched a new internship program for current Electrical Engineering Technology Associate of Applied Science students.

The manufacturing student intern(s) will work in a manufacturing environment requiring knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and electronic disciplines. Interns will be assigned a special project that will last the entirety of the program as well as gain experience with repairs and preventative and predictive activities.

“We are excited to announce this amazing opportunity. Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has partnered with our Electrical Engineering Technology program to have our students work alongside technicians in the facility to gain real-world experience while completing their degree,” said Nashville State Electrical Engineering Technology Program Coordinator Peter Ortner. 

The paid position will be over a 12-month period, where the intern will earn $25 per hour and require at least 20 hours a week. All Nashville State second-year Electrical Engineering Technology program students may apply. Upon successful completion of the one-year program, as well as the Nashville State Electrical Engineering Technology program, interns will be eligible for a full-time position following an assessment.

Nathan Howdon, the plant engineer at Bridgestone LaVergne Tire Plant, said, “Bridgestone Americas is excited to launch this internship program, as it will not only positively impact these students but also the Middle Tennessee region and entire state.”

The LaVergne Tire Plant began manufacturing truck and bus radial tires in 1972 and continues to play a vital role in the local community today by employing more than 1,000 people. The LaVergne Tire Plant and its teammates embody the Bridgestone E8 Commitment through numerous local partnerships and community volunteer projects.

Nashville State’s Brandon Carmona and Jamal Hourel were recently selected and began as the first cohort of interns.

A native of North Carolina and an avid outdoorsman, Brandon credits his journey into manufacturing to Nashville State, where “I discovered my love for industrial electronic controls and pneumatics. The thrill of troubleshooting complex systems and optimizing machinery drew me in.”

He said, “As an intern, I’m diving headfirst into real-world challenges. Each day brings new learning opportunities, and I’m excited to contribute my skills to the team. Whether fine-tuning a production line or deciphering intricate schematics, count me in—I’m ready to make my mark at Bridgestone La Vergne.”

When not at work or class, Jamal, who was raised in Alabama, spends time lifting weights, fishing, and working on trucks. While at Nashville State, he has relished “learning more about programmable logic controllers (PLCs), specifically Allen Bradley, and working hands-on in my pneumatics and hydraulics class.”

He commented that “the internship is going smooth” and that he is currently in extrusion shadowing foreman and others, who “have plenty of knowledge and experience, and they have taught me a lot so far.”

“We have hopes of expanding this program to more students as we build our Engineering Technology program,” Ortner said. 

Nashville State’s School of STEM Electrical Engineering Technology Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees provide graduates with the skills and knowledge on how to install, test, and maintain systems with circuit analysis and design, computer technology, and analog and digital electronics.

To learn more about the Electrical Engineering Technology AAS degree and Industrial Electrical Maintenance Certificate, visit nscc.edu. To learn about this opportunity, email Program Coordinator Peter Ortner at peter.ortner@nscc.edu.