Transition internship brainstorming assistance requested . . . (1 Viewer)

[mdcoa]

Retiring next summer after lotsa years of Active Duty. Opportunity to do an internship for several months on my way out the door (next Spring)--work full-time (at no cost) for someone and learn something about something.

Turning to the Capital Cruiser Hive Mind for ideas--what companies in the area are doing super-cool stuff related to the outdoors? In retirement, looking to work with my hands (welder, mechanic, barber) or be involved with a product I could get excited about--overland accessories/mods, firearms stuff, outdoor stuff, motorcycle stuff, EV stuff.

Any companies in the area doing superfun stuff I should approach about several months of free labor? Obviously not going to learn a trade in this window, but it'd be fun to learn my way around a business.

No idea too crazy. . . thanks in advance!

 

[L8Shift]

While at the Rockingham County fair...
I happened upon the elaborate Blue Ridge Community College booth
They offer welding and machining programs, financial aid, and job placement.
They mentioned there was a high demand for welders.

Welding - Blue Ridge Community College

Welding Course Schedule View Continuing Education Online Registration Information Welding Course Descriptions Learn welding symbols, shop math, and safety procedures through hands-on experience with various types of welding processes. You ...

www.blueridge.edu

Machining - Blue Ridge Community College

Machining Course Schedule View course schedule at: Continuing Education Schedule of Courses View Continuing Education Online Registration Information Machining Course Descriptions Students learn machining operations of the metal working industry. ...

www.blueridge.edu

I see they have a Welding and Maching Lab in Mt. Crawford, Va. (Just south of JMU)

Could be an option..

{Thank you for your service.. }

 

[1MOA]

Have you ever thought about the exciting world of Kitchen exhaust cleaning and environmental clean up at government sites and US navy ships? I know a guy.

 

[mdcoa]

@L8Shift , thanks--that looks like a great program, but, holy cow it's far away. . . even if I could go to the VA campus. You inspired me to check local CC's--NVCC has welding courses but they're like two days/week for a semester. Prince George CC has night classes twice a week for two months or so, which seems about right, but they're $1200--BRCC set my course cost expectations a bit too low. . .

@1MOA, that is an awesome photo and almost makes me want to clean kitchen exhausts and wear tyvek suits and respirators. Thank you!

 

[1MOA]

@1MOA, that is an awesome photo and almost makes me want to clean kitchen exhausts and wear tyvek suits and respirators. Thank you!

We do drive thrus too

 

[Snail282]

Oh man, all too often I think about getting out of my current line work and going back to working with my hands, so I have a couple ideas for you.

One is this company that imports, restores, and sells Land Rovers: Commonwealth Classics - Specialists in Land Rover Defenders, Range Rovers, Toyota Land Cruisers - https://www.cwclassics.com. They have a facility in Virginia, but I'm not sure exactly what level of work they do there. It seem they do most mechanical work overseas, and then do interior stuff, customization, and who knows what here in Virginia. From what I can tell of their general vibe on their website they could be receptive to your current situation. A lot of "respect the side hustle" and "support and give back" energy here.

The second is Chaos Off road, Chaos Fab Shop - https://www.chaosfabshop.com, which appears to be a fab shop and off-road park in West Virginia. They say on their website that they are hiring fabricators and mechanics. Maybe you could shop your internship to them as a low risk trial period toward full employment?

You could also approach the forest service or any state DNR. They might not be interested in your internship, but do give preferential hiring to veterans. Hope this helps.

 

[Jakes40]

I have not used Chaos off road for any work. They mainly do lift kits on Jeep’s. The owner is a Toyota guy. They are good people. Very helpful. I have wheeled at the park once after an ultra4 qualifier.