Patrick Industries Recruiting Bethel Students for Leadership Development Program

MISHAWAKA—On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Patrick Industries will be hosting an event in room 342 of the Academic Center to inform students about their 2-year fast-tracked leadership development program. The presentation will last from 5:30-7 p.m. and Patrick Industries will provide food for attendees. Bethel’s standard COVID-19 social distancing and safety procedures will be in place. 

Students who wish to attend should RSVP to Jenny Wertenberger, Bethel’s community engagement and partnerships coordinator, who is helping oversee preparation for the event. This will help Patrick Industries know how much food to bring; to RSVP, email Wertenberger at jenny.wertenberger@betheluniversity.edu. 

“[Patrick Industries] really loves to hire Bethel graduates, and they have come annually for several years now,” Wertenberger said. “They really value our students, so they like to come in and provide dinner and present about opportunities through their fast-track leadership program. Their values and mission fit really well with ours.” 

Tanner White, a 2018 Bethel graduate, enjoyed his time in the program and is currently employed by Foremost Fabricators, one of Patrick Industries subsidiaries.  

“It’s sort of a rotational exposure program where you get to meet a lot of high-level leadership who have years of experience under their belts,” White said. “Being involved in a program that pays you out of college and pours into you was very attractive to me.” 

White said that the program has undergone some changes since his time in it, so students should attend the presentation to learn about the specifics of what they can expect. He encourages students to pursue various business opportunities that arise, whether with Patrick Industries or elsewhere. 

“With any position that you’re thinking about, it does no harm to pursue an interview,” White said. “You don’t really know what you are going to like outside of college ... I would say just to continue to leave as many doors open as you can.” 

For more information about Patrick Industries, visit patrickind.com.