COM interns graduate with jobs in hand
For most students, the thrill of college graduation quickly fades into the challenge
of job searching. Chase Douglas graduated from College of the Mainland not only with
an associate degree but also with a full-time job.
This fall he worked in LyondellBasell’s process technology internship program in conjunction
with COM and was hired immediately after completing the 16-week, paid internship.
“The field is very competitive. I’m lucky I got the internship,” said Douglas, who
interned with six other COM students.
The internship allows LyondellBasell to evaluate potential employees, shorten training
time and reduce turnover rates.
“Some of the main qualities we are looking for in a candidate include the ability
to learn, the ability to interact with people, self-motivation and punctuality,” said
David Gosnay, operations manager of derivatives/utilities for LyondellBasell. “The
interns are placed on a shift in one of our operating units and begin working with
an experienced operator. They shadow the operator and eventually begin training in
a specific area. If we offer a full-time position, we try to keep the intern in the
area that they trained in.”
The program gives students real-world experience in a global corporation.
“Everybody’s really eager to help you. Everybody’s been really welcoming and taken
me in since the first day,” Douglas said.
Immediately following the internship, he was hired as a full-time process technician
at LyondellBasell in Channelview, doing what he loves.
“Putting the knowledge of my degree in perspective and applying it is the thing I
most enjoy,” said Douglas.
Tim Martin, another COM graduate who interned and was hired by LyondellBasell, agrees.
“In every aspect I was fully prepared by my education at COM. The recovery unit, distillation
towers, heat exchange and coolers, just about every piece of equipment, we worked
with in school,” he said.
Hands-on experience equipment is one of the things that makes COM unique. As part
of its partnership with COM, LyondellBasell recently sent several employees to review
COM’s process technology operations equipment and suggest updates.
“We’re the only college in the local area where students run the process technology
equipment in class just like in the plants,” said Jerry Duncan, COM process technology
program coordinator. “Their recommendations will modernize our facility significantly.”
Martin enjoyed the hands-on experience and now works in the same recovery unit in
which he trained.
“You stay busy, and it’s work where you’re accomplishing something,” he said. A former
employee at a construction company that went out of business, he was originally attracted
to the field because “everybody that I’ve come in contact with in this field has been
happy at their job.”
Martin and Douglas both work 12-hour shifts, with four days on and four days off.
“I love the four days off,” said Martin. “Also, I enjoy the productivity and teamwork
that comes with the job.
“COM and the instructors did a great job in preparing me for success in this new career.
It was a good decision because I definitely like what I do. Hopefully I’ll get to
keep doing this until I retire.”