ITW’s Post

Every day, our interns experience the power of our decentralized, entrepreneurial culture through their division experiences and the opportunity to participate with our employee resource groups. Sriya Garde, an electrical and computer engineering master’s student at the University of Colorado Boulder and an electrical engineering intern at ITW Food Machines wanted an internship that trusted her to be involved in real work. Through her internship, she has experienced ITW’s entrepreneurial culture through being empowered to engage in the product development process. Q: Why did you choose to intern at ITW? A: I sought an internship where I could engage in product development, from ideation to implementation and manufacturing. During my interview, I learned I would be working on new features for Hobart Mixers and Slicers, which excited me about interning here. Additionally, ITW’s reputation as a Fortune 200 company known for engineering reliable, safe, and durable systems made me eager to be part of its culture. Q: What has been your most enjoyable intern experience this summer? A: While I’ve enjoyed working on innovative projects and collaborating with incredible people at FEG, my top experience has been being a part of the Young Professionals Network (YPN). The events and initiatives organized by YPN are not only fun but also provide excellent networking opportunities with other young professionals at various stages in their ITW careers. This involvement has made me feel connected to a larger community and aligned with those on a similar journey. Q: What has been one of your biggest takeaways from your internship so far? A: The biggest takeaway has been hands-on experience with product development, particularly from an embedded perspective. Working from the ground up on a new feature for a product has been a valuable learning experience. This role has allowed me to explore, implement, and learn from my ideas, giving me a deep understanding of how systems work and the intricacies of the new product development lifecycle. I have gained critical skills and knowledge that are invaluable in understanding the practical applications of my coursework. #ProudToBeITW

To close out Pride Month festivities, Pride at ITW hosted its annual U.S. Conference at the Center on Halsted to help colleagues grow in their career and in their inclusivity. The full-day event featured sessions led by Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center CEO, Bernard Cherkasov, ITW Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Katie Lawler, as well as the Center on Halsted's Manager of Training and Public Education, Aster Gilbert, among others. In addition to engaging and educational talks, colleagues were also able to hear personal stories from coworkers who identify as LGBTQ+, network across divisions and locations, as well as compete for the top Trivia prize. The Pride at ITW conference serves as a poignant reminder of the role diversity & inclusion play in building workplaces where everyone can perform to their full potential, grow their careers and know that they belong. #PrideMonth #ProudToBeITW

Opto Diode Corp. An ITW Company, within our Test & Measurement and Electronics segment, just launched their LinkedIn page. Follow their account to get the latest updates and information on how they are helping us ignite our full potential as a company! #ProudToBeITW

Thank you to all who participated in our Legal Department's Third Annual Diverse Summer Associate Event! We hope you walked away with a greater understanding of the power of the ITW Business Model and our commitment to building inclusive workplaces for our colleagues around the world. #ProudToBeITW

This summer, we are excited to have interns join us across divisions to work alongside – and learn from – our experienced ITW leaders. Our interns are empowered to tackle real-life work experiences that allow them to learn by doing, expand their network and gain exposure to diverse businesses, and many are invited to convert to full-time roles after graduation. Current and former ITW interns, share your favorite experience in the comments! #ProudToBeITW

Grounded in our core values of Respect and Integrity, ITW is committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces where everyone can perform to their full potential, grow their careers and enhance ITW’s culture. For colleagues who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community such as Jarbas Bitencourt, sales manager at Polymers & Fluids South America based in São Paulo, Brazil, knowing that they belong at ITW and are fully supported can be particularly impactful. “I have friends who are gay who don’t want to come out at work,” he said. “But I feel very comfortable here. I can say I have a spouse, I have a family, and it’s no different — all I have to do is achieve results for ITW.” Learn more about how Jarbas felt empowered to open up about his home life at work: https://bit.ly/4eHZilx #ProudToBeITW

As we continue to celebrate #PrideMonth, it's important to highlight the integral role allies play in fostering belonging, shared respect and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. To reach our full potential, it takes the collective efforts of all ITW team members to build a diverse and inclusive workplace. We asked allies of Pride at ITW to reflect on their participation in the employee resource group, and its impact on their personal and professional lives. Tag a colleague in the comments that you have seen display allyship! #ProudToBeITW

Earlier this month, over 500 ITW Chicagoland team members - the most ever - joined our annual Day of Action to give back to the communities where we live and work. Colleagues engaged in a variety of projects: packing hygiene and snack kits, assembling backpacks, preparing classrooms for summer camps, and landscaping at various schools and neighborhood community gardens, including United Way of Metro Chicago, Austin Coming Together, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, Cradles to Crayons, Christopher House, Big Shoulders Fund, and Christ the King Jesuit College Prep. The Day of Action is also celebrated at other divisions around the globe, as we unite around our shared commitment as one ITW team to contribute to a more equitable society for all. We're proud of our colleagues who participate and make an impact – on the Day of Action and throughout the year. #ProudToBeITW #ITWGivesBack