From Classroom to CNC: A Matric Student’s Internship Journey at Perfect Laser Technologies
I am a matric student taking EGD, and I was afforded the opportunity to start an internship at Perfect Laser Technologies. Over the last week, which was my first week working, I learnt far more than expected. I learnt to operate the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, which I used to cut and engrave designs out of wood. I was introduced to the laser cutter and the box cutter too, although I worked mostly with the CNC machine.
I really enjoyed learning how to operate these fascinating machines. My favourite part of this experience was learning the design process. Terrence, the employee teaching me about the design software program, showed me the basics of the program and then helped me further where I got stuck. It was challenging at first, but my exposure to EGD and AutoCAD at school helped me learn quickly, as the programs are similar. Alongside learning how to design my own products, the most valuable lesson was learning to think in terms of a consumer and how to make a product better and more desirable from the consumer’s point of view.
When it came to designing my own products from scratch and building prototypes, I learnt very quickly that being careful and taking your time is step one, as breaking equipment is far easier than it seems (I would know). Through my prototyping, I truly had to manage my time and communicate clearly. It was pleasantly challenging to figure out the best designs for the tasks given. It was further rewarding and quite satisfying to be able to cut out the prototypes to see what changes needed to be made on the design to bring it to life. It was very humbling to see the designs I had spent so much time on not working or being faulty, and being told to try again. Saying this, coming back with improved products and new ideas became both rewarding and extremely educational. Since starting, I have learnt to be patient and precise with my work, while constantly expanding my ideas and knowledge.
The prototyping truly was where I learnt the most, both about the workplace and about myself. I had to learn to communicate and often lean on others and work as a team. Asking for help from people who were busy at work was initially difficult for me, but this experience built my confidence in this aspect and helped me gain valuable information from other employees’ work experience and knowledge. The main lesson I learnt was that efficiency increases with communication and teamwork, and that mistakes are made when questions go unasked.
My next task was building a cost sheet for the production of different products. This required teamwork and communication, as I had to ask about specifics around the process, as well as gather information on any delays in progress along with the reasoning behind them. Evaluation of materials used and any materials wasted challenged my sloppy note-taking skills in both clarity and content. I learnt to interpret the information needed and to filter out the important information from unnecessary data.
I am very excited to learn more about the actual machines and eventually learn to do maintenance on them. The final part, however — probably the most important lesson to come — is expanding my knowledge of marketing and e-commerce through the recording of videos on products and designs. I will need to figure out how to achieve clarity in my communication as well as simplicity in my explanations to avoid confusion. Furthermore, I will need to learn how to navigate social media in this aspect in order to promote products and attract customers.
To end off, I would like to express the value of this experience to other students who take EGD. Having this opportunity has been an absolute privilege and has made me realise how good a basis EGD gave me. Being able to build an image in your mind of a product, and having the opportunity to create that product and improve on it, are just a few of the many benefits gained from this experience. There were initially concerns for me, as a matric student, about not having much time. However, I found that the time management and efficiency I had to learn in the workplace have carried over from school and into my life in general. I am more clinical and organised now, becoming more conscious of deadlines and my own inefficiency with my time and work. This exciting opportunity, bundled with an intern salary, is more than enough motivation to go and expand your own knowledge and experience.
I would like to thank Warwick, the CEO of the company, and all the staff at the Johannesburg branch for helping me grow and giving me this amazing opportunity.
— Gideon Coetzee, Matric Student & Intern
