GE Appliances’ seven Industrial Design interns for 2020-2021 had a unique internship experience that was quite different compared to prior years. 

This resilient group accepted their offer to come work for GEA in February of 2020 – right before the pandemic hit the U.S. 

Concerned at first that the internships would even happen, the IDO leadership team knew they needed the interns to work on several future project launches, so they reworked the experience to fit COVID-19 times and the interns started in June.

The interns include Sara Masaschi, Jake Tasker, Blake Ellis, Dylan Willis, Vasavi Aggarwal, Mikayla Feil and Connor McIIveen. (Intern manager Tim Read is pictured on the far left.) 

This incredible group easily took the situation in stride and were able to succeed regardless of the situation. At different times during the pandemic they worked solely from home, and other times they worked every other week from the office without issue. Key brand and product projects included:

• Working on an upcoming small appliance launch for the fall;
• Developing products that are part of the GE Profile Innovation Studio; 
• Creating a virtual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and International Builders Show virtual trade show experience.

“We are so proud of what these young designers have been able to accomplish, and we think very highly of each of them,” said Tim Read, senior industrial designer for GE Appliances. “I’m happy we were able to provide a meaningful experience when other companies were cancelling internships. It was great to see the confidence of our interns progress throughout the year as they gained valuable experience and grew professionally. Here’s to them and their future success.”

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