​From the Classroom to the Shop Floor: A Co-Op Experience at Altek

 

I first learned about Altek when Jeremy Slack presented at Spokane Community College (SCC). What attracted me most to the co-op opportunity was the chance for hands-on experience. Since starting at Altek, I've realized the difference between school and industry is like learning to drive in a parking lot versus driving in real traffic. While SCC provided a strong foundation, Altek exposed me to real-world challenges and processes that accelerated my learning.

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One of the most valuable aspects of the program was rotating through different departments to understand how the entire business operates. In the machine shop, I gained significant experience running MAZAK lathes and working with MAZATROL conversational programming, something we had limited exposure to in school. The variety of work kept every day different, with new jobs and products constantly presenting new learning opportunities.

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The experience also helped me develop adaptability and collaboration skills. Unlike school, where you often work independently, I frequently worked with programs created by others and learned different approaches to problem-solving. Seeing how parts moved through departments such as finishing gave me a better understanding of how each team's work impacts the next and reinforced the importance of quality and teamwork.

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The people at Altek made the biggest difference in my experience. The culture was welcoming, supportive, and collaborative, making it easy to ask questions and learn. Adam in the machine shop had a particularly strong impact on me through his knowledge, work ethic, and commitment to quality.

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Every project taught me something new, from machining stainless steel to learning dry ice blasting for deburring plastic parts. Working with aerospace and medical components also showed me the importance of precision, tight tolerances, and attention to detail because the parts have real-world safety implications.

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This co-op successfully bridged the gap between school and industry by providing meaningful, hands-on work in an environment where learning was encouraged. It gave me confidence, expanded my understanding of manufacturing, and showed me how much there is still to learn.

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Overall, my experience at Altek was extremely positive. I grew both technically and professionally, felt respected as a team member, and gained valuable insight into the manufacturing industry. I would highly recommend the program to other students and encourage Altek to continue expanding the co-op program so more students can benefit from the experience and supportive culture.