BASF’s site in Geismar recently graduated six local community and technical college students from their Process Technology (PTEC) internships. 

BASF offers PTEC internships to build its pipeline of top talent from within the local community and to provide students with insight into careers in manufacturing.

“The most rewarding aspect of this internship was receiving the hands-on experience that I needed to flourish as a process technician. Completing this internship was rewarding as well. I gave it my all, kept a positive attitude, and kept a strong work ethic until the end of this internship,” said Leslie Narcisse a Utilities intern at the Geismar site.

Narcisse was a part of BASF’s diverse cohort of PTEC interns, 50 percent of whom were female. 

In an industry that averages 24 percent female employment, the increased female participation underscores BASF’s global commitment to developing female leaders. 

BASF reached its goal of 20 percent female leadership two years before its initial deadline in 2019, and then set its sights on achieving 30 percent female leadership by 2030.

“We were very intentional about recruiting the best and brightest interns from local technical and community colleges because we are invested in hiring exceptional talent from within our community,” said Jerry Lebold, senior VP and GM of BASF’s Geismar site. “We are also committed to diversity and inclusion, and for us to reach our goal of 30 percent female leadership, we are investing in diversity at every level of the company, including interns who may one day become future BASF leadership.”

During their internship at BASF, interns worked 24 of BASF’s 12-hour rotating shifts, journaled daily about the activities they participated in which focused on learning the job, attended educational events about various career paths, worked closely with mentors, developed career readiness and presentation skills, and participated in roundtable discussions on trending industry topics.

The following students completed BASF’s PTEC internships:

• Nicholas Gremillion – River Parishes Community College;
• Zacharie Keel – Fletcher Community College;
• Savannah Liles – River Parishes Community College;
• Leslie Narcisse – River Parishes Community College;
• Tieranay Smith – River Parishes Community College;
• Shane Sullivan – River Parishes Community College

After the program is complete, the interns are considered for full-time employment as BASF has openings for operators.