By: Michael Sheesley, DHS Senior Student
For the last 4 months I have been working at RDO Truck Centers as a Work-Based Learning intern. RDO Truck Centers is a branch from RDO Equipment Co. that specializes in Mack, Volvo, Hino, and Isuzu trucks, along with Load King and R-Way trailers. They not only specialize in the sale of these trucks and trailers, but also in the repair and servicing of them as well. RDO Truck Centers has 10 locations across 3 states with those being North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa.
Every day when I go to work I check in with my service manager to talk about the jobs they want me to compete for that day. Or which technician they want me to work with and job shadow.
Some of the jobs that I work on include anything from simple repairs and services, all the way up to major engine work with the help from one of the other technicians in the shop. But before getting started with all of that, I first get into the shop and get changed into my shop uniform and get clocked into the job for the day. When working on my own, I check my emails for any incoming notes and workflow attachments for the job I'm working on. I do this to ensure I have all the information I need to complete the job. Once working on the job I search up any procedures I need for the job to ensure it is done correctly. After completing the job I type my story for the work I performed, and send in a QC to my service manager. When working with the other technicians I start by clocking into training and begin to help them with the tasks they are working on. Along with helping the technicians with their work, I get to learn about the various different types of work they do on a daily basis, and how to do the work properly.
With my Work-Based Learning experience I can say for certain that it is something that everyone should do. It has taught me alot about how to manage my time and relationships with people working in the real world. On top of that the amount of knowledge that I've gained from working with technicians and working on my own is insane. The opportunities I have been given from working with RDO Truck Centers have not only allowed for me to continue my employment with them for the rest of this year, but have resulted in RDO Truck Centers sponsoring me with tooling for work and reimbursement for my college tuition. All in all my experience with RDO Truck Centers has been nothing but amazing, and I highly recommend that students should get into a WBL class.