Future in focus: Celebrating our 2025 interns

At JELD-WEN, we believe in investing in the next generation of talent. This summer, we welcomed interns from across the country, each bringing fresh perspectives. In honor of National Intern Day, we’re spotlighting the journeys and experiences of our thirteen interns. We asked each of them a few questions about their experience at JELD-WEN and what brought them here.

Vishal Challawar

UNC Chapel Hill, Economics Major, Data Science Minor, Finance FinTech Intern

Q: What was your dream job as a kid?

A: When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor. I’ve always liked being creative and working with people. I think that has carried over to how I approach team projects today.

Q: What advice would you give to future interns?

A: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. No one expects you to know everything on day one. The more you ask, the more you’ll learn, and it shows you’re engaged and ready to contribute. 

Kate Church

UNC Chapel Hill, Statistics and Analytics and Neuroscience Major, IT and Data Analytics Intern

Q: Who is someone you look up to, and why?

A: My sister – She has an autoimmune disease that often makes daily life incredibly challenging, yet despite that and all the obstacles it may bring, she constantly goes above and beyond, achieving remarkable success in both her personal and professional life.

Her resilience and determination have taught me the true meaning of perseverance and the importance of stretching beyond perceived limits.

Q: What’s something new you’ve learned during your internship?

A: I learned the importance of starting with the why. I’ve seen how understanding the purpose behind a task or analysis makes the entire process more meaningful and easier to follow.

It helps connect technical work to the bigger picture, which improves both impact and understanding.

Seamus Dunlap

University of Illinois, Mechanical Engineering Major, Computer Science Minor, Engineering Intern

Q: What’s been your favorite project or task so far? 

A: My favorite project so far has been studying our casement window production line and using AutoCad to design a more efficient layout for the line. 

Q: Who is someone you look up to and why? 

A: My high school physics teacher -- he inspired me to study engineering in college.

Jake Fabrizio

UNC Charlotte, Computer Science Major, IT (Cybersecurity) Intern

Q: What’s been your favorite project or task so far?

A: Creating a real-time phishing susceptibility spreadsheet to generate information regarding real-time susceptibility to phishing has been my favorite project so far. 

Q: What was your dream job as a kid? 

A: I always wanted to be a Computer Forensic Analyst with the FBI. 

Abbie Lake

NC State, Mechanical Engineering Major, Art and Design Minor, Engineering R&D Exterior Doors Intern

Q: What are your career aspirations? 

A: I’ve enjoyed working on design projects and CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) modeling and drawing. I’d like to stay in the same function I’m in now – R&D (Research and Development) – because it’s hands-on and creatively challenging. 

Q: What was your dream job as a kid? 

A: I wanted to work for NASA!

Jacob Lotter

University of South Carolina, Supply Chain & Finance Major, Data Analytics Minor, Sourcing & Operations Intern

Q: What’s something new you’ve learned during your internship?

A: Throughout my time at JELD-WEN, I have learned a lot of technical, organizational, and networking skills that will help me far beyond this summer. Everything from utilizing new features on Excel/PowerPoint to concise note taking during meetings to understanding how to best support different team members have all been new skills I have taken from this role.

Q: What are your career aspirations?

In the future I see myself either pursuing a career in financial analysis or sourcing position for a manufacturing company. I would also be interested in eventually starting my own business. 

Ashley McManemin

University of Tennessee, Supply Chain Management Major with a concentration in Business Analytics, Economics Minor, Logistics Intern

A: Be a sponge! Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and make the most of the once-in-a-lifetime learning experience.

A: I have really enjoyed working on the Grand Rapids warehouse project. I have had a lot of autonomy in the project which has allowed me to get hands-on experience.

UNC Greensboro, Information Systems and Supply Chain Management Major, IT (Service Management) Intern

Elon University, Finance Major, Finance Intern

Q: What advice would you give to future interns?

A: My advice to future interns would be to try and talk to and connect with as many people as possible within the company, especially people in other departments, to gain exposure to all sides of the business. 

Q: What inspired you toward your current field of study?

A: Finance is such a broad field of study that encompasses financial markets, the economy and human decision making. It is also integral to every industry, which will allow me to have the flexibility to explore different kinds of companies.

Texas A&M, College Station, Industrial and Systems Engineering Major, Engineering Project Management Minor, Continuous Improvement Analyst (JCI) Intern

Q: What inspired you toward your current field of study?

A: Since high school, I have worked multiple part-time jobs, and through those experiences, I discovered how much I enjoy finding more efficient ways to finish the tasks. I naturally looked for optimal paths, streamlined processes, and ways to avoid wasting time. In addition, I have always been fascinated by math and science. Industrial and Systems Engineering combines the two interests together since it allows me to apply analytical thinking in solving problems and improving systems in meaningful ways.

Q: What are your career aspirations?

A: My goal is to become a professional engineer in the manufacturing industry. My focus is on continuous improvement and process optimization. I would like to utilize my expertise to have an impact on the long-term vision of our company.

University of Florida, Mechanical Engineering Major, Engineering Intern

Q: Who is someone you look up to, and why?

A: I’ve been inspired by all the women in STEM fields for their courage and commitment to pursuing their dreams. Dr. Hitomi Greenslet, a mechanical engineering professor, has been a great role model and mentor during my time at the University of Florida.

Q: What’s something new you’ve learned during your internship? 

A: I’ve learned a lot about the importance of lean manufacturing. To continuously improve the manufacturing process, observation is key. 

Princeton University, Computer Science and Economics Major, IT Portfolio Management Intern

Q: What’s something new you’ve learned during your internship?

A: The most important thing I have learned during my internship is how essential it is to truly understand every part of the business when working on a project. While it is easy to complete a project as assigned, learning about the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind every project really puts it into perspective into how you are benefitting and how you are helping people through your work, giving you a nuanced view into how your efforts are making a difference.

Q: What advice would you give to future interns? 

A: Use your resources – connect with the young professional's employee resource group and your intern manager. Doing so can give you the opportunity to meet senior leadership and ask them thoughtful questions.

Erica Wahe

University of Iowa, Mechanical Engineering Major, Engineering Intern

Q: What’s been your favorite project or task so far?

A: I’ve been working with laser suppliers on a laser marking project for quality control. It’s been interesting learning about laser regulations, project requirements, and seeing some initial samples. I work in a prototyping lab during the year so while I am familiar with lasers, this is the first time I’m applying lasers to a manufacturing environment.

Q: What are your career aspirations? 

A: I will be an engineer, hopefully with a patent or two. My focus area is design in school, and I would like to incorporate it into my career.

Liberty University, Industrial and Systems Engineering Major, Operations Quality Intern

Q: What inspired you toward your current field of study?

A: I have always been motivated toward a career in engineering. I like the blend of business, math and creativity it provides. I also think it’s important for women to be represented in this field.

Q: What was your dream job as a kid?

A: I wanted to be a helicopter pilot when I was a little kid.