Responses from Christian Bliss, Campus Relations & Inclusivity Manager at Crestron
How long has your internship program been running, and how has it changed over time?
Crestron has hosted interns for more than 25 years. The program is continually evolving and we continue to refine what that experience looks like. In more recent years, we've put a greater emphasis on meaningful project work, cross-functional exposure, professional development, and creating pathways to future career opportunities. Our goal is to ensure our interns leave with real experience and a better understanding of both the industry and the business.
Which departments or roles do you typically bring on each year?
We hire interns across a variety of functions, including engineering, manufacturing, operations, IT, marketing, supply chain, sustainability, and other business areas. Open roles are determined based on business needs and available projects.
We take great pride in the competitiveness of our program and the applications we receive each year. We consider it a cornerstone of our talent growth because of the program’s high standards. It also provides a great opportunity for us to bring more potential to the future of the AV industry with more students each year.
What does a typical internship experience look like?
Our interns are given real work and meaningful projects that contribute directly to our business objectives. As part of this experience, our interns are an integral part of the teams they are assigned to. The first thing we tell them is that they are “not just interns.” These young professionals participate in team meetings, experience inter-disciplinary collaborations, and attend professional development sessions. We also work to expose them to different areas of the organization.
In addition to their direct manager, each intern at Crestron is also assigned a mentor who provides guidance, support, and insight into the organization throughout the internship. This combination of hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development helps interns build meaningful skills while gaining a broader understanding of how the business operates.
How do you recruit interns?
We recruit through partnerships with colleges and universities, career fairs, faculty relationships, employee referrals, and direct applications through our careers site. We also engage with student organizations and campus career centers to raise awareness about internship opportunities at Crestron.
What skills gaps in the manufacturing industry is this program designed to address?
The program helps expose students to a wide range of careers available at a modern technology manufacturing company. Our internships help develop skills in engineering, technology, operations, problem-solving, and collaboration. We aim to provide our students with hands-on experience that simply can't be replicated in a classroom, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application.
What percentage of interns convert to full-time employees?
The year-over-year conversion rate fluctuates based on business needs and available opportunities. This measurement also varies because some of our interns are at earlier stages in their academic careers and their natural next step is repeating another internship year with us while they finish out school. Overall, our intention is to convert a significant percentage of qualified interns as part of our broader talent pipeline strategy and we have seen our conversion rate increase in recent years.
Can you share an example of someone who started as an intern and has grown into a bigger role at the company?
We have many former interns who have gone on to see great success at our company, and they serve as important examples for our intern classes. We often invite them back to share their experience and any tips they may have on how our interns can get the most out of their time at Crestron. A great example of someone who has really been able to thrive in our organization is Alex Peras, who now serves as our Executive Vice President of Product & Engineering.
How do you measure whether the program is successful?
We look at several factors to measure the success of our programs. There are traditional data points like return internship rates and full-time conversions as well as manager feedback and the impact of our intern projects. But most importantly, we put a lot of weight behind whether our interns leave the experience feeling they learned, grew, and made meaningful contributions.
Why does the company invest in training interns, even knowing some may leave for other employers?
Internships are a long-term investment in talent development. While not every intern will return to Crestron, providing meaningful experience helps strengthen the overall industry talent pipeline and creates opportunities to build relationships with future professionals early in their careers. We also believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. By helping develop the next generation of talent, and encouraging other employers to do the same, we contribute to a stronger workforce for the industry as a whole. Ultimately, that benefits not only students and employers, but also the broader network of industry partners who rely on a healthy pipeline of skilled talent.
How do you see broader industry challenges shaping why programs like this matter right now?
Manufacturers, as well as others in the AV industry, are facing transitions to a less experienced workforce, increasing technical complexity, and growing demand for specialized skills. Programs like internships help bridge the gap between education and industry by giving students hands-on experience while helping employers connect with emerging talent earlier in their careers. They also help students better understand what modern manufacturing actually looks like, which is often very different from outdated perceptions of the industry.
Has the program had any ripple effects on how your community or region views manufacturing careers?
Programs like ours help students, educators, and families gain a better understanding of the AV industry and technology manufacturing. Many people are often surprised by the amount of technology, engineering, software, and innovation involved in today's manufacturing environments, as well as how our products are an important part of the AV ecosystem. There are also always great anecdotes from our interns who are surprised by how prevalent AV solutions are in the world around them. Often, they start to see these technologies in their everyday lives now that they know to look for them.
What has surprised you most about running the program, or what have you learned along the way?
One of the biggest lessons has been how important meaningful work is to the intern experience. Students are most engaged when they can see how their contributions connect to larger business goals and when they have opportunities to learn directly from experienced professionals. Along the way, we've also learned that the relationships interns build can be just as impactful as the work itself. Human connections matter. Having mentors, supportive managers, and teammates who are invested in their growth helps create a much more meaningful experience and often leaves a lasting impression long after the internship ends.
What advice would you give another manufacturer thinking about starting a similar program?
Focus on giving interns meaningful work, strong mentorship, and opportunities to learn from the people around them. Interns quickly recognize and appreciate when they are trusted with real responsibilities. While building a successful internship program requires commitment from hiring managers and teams across the organization, the long-term value for both students and employers makes the investment well worth it.
Below are some responses from former interns, Franklin Johnson and Emma Millet, who will be joining Crestron full-time.