By Gregg Wartgow, Special to AEM --
AEM member company Komatsu has offered a robust and diverse internship program across its network of offices for decades. With the ultimate goal of fostering the next generation of talent, the program has also helped elevate the Komatsu brand.
“Internships at Komatsu have evolved into more than just a summer opportunity,” said Michael Gidaspow, Komatsu’s Chief Digital Officer. “Internships have become a powerful brand-building tool and a transformational experience for both interns and the organization. By immersing interns in real-world, value-adding projects and treating them as integral members of the team, we create a culture where they truly feel like ‘one of us’. This high level of employee engagement not only enhances the interns’ experiences, but also cultivates passionate brand ambassadors who carry their Komatsu experience forward into their academic and professional circles.”
Komatsu’s internship program is designed to ignite interest in careers within the heavy equipment industry. A multifaceted experience helps students realize that Komatsu is more than just a machine manufacturer. The company is also a technology-driven solutions provider that is helping transform how the world builds and moves. Today’s young talent crave to be part of something like that.
The AEM Manufacturing Express was proud to make a stop at Komatsu America Corporation on Aug. 11. For more information and to follow along with the tour, visit manufacturingexpress.org.
More Than Just Making Photocopies
A defining aspect of Komatsu’s internship program is the focus on holistic learning. Interns don’t just work behind desks. They visit manufacturing operations, engage with customers and dealers, and even operate heavy equipment.
The program also places a strong emphasis on sustainability, aligning with Komatsu’s corporate values and future vision. This exposure helps interns understand not just how Komatsu builds equipment, but how the company contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world.
Komatsu internships span disciplines such as mining application engineering, digital strategy, digital solutions, marketing, finance, legal, sales account management, product marketing, technical service, and the aftermarket contract business. Depending on their focus area, interns are placed into one of two tracks. First, those aligned with the mining business or corporate functions participate in one centralized program. Second, interns supporting Komatsu’s North America region take part in a separate, tailored experience.
“Both programs are thoughtfully designed to mirror the full employment lifecycle of a full-time Komatsu employee, providing meaningful, hands-on exposure to our operations, culture, and mission,” said Kayla Rapp, Komatsu campus recruiting manager. “Komatsu’s internship experience leverages a wide variety of learning delivery models to create a dynamic and accessible learning environment. This includes instructor-led sessions, hands-on projects, real-world business trips, and access to internal resources.”
Interns start off by learning about Komatsu’s values, organizational structure, and impact on society. Then, throughout the program, interns engage in corporate social responsibility activities, cross-functional learning opportunities, and professional development sessions that help shape their understanding of the business and their role within it.
“My internship provided me with more than just exposure to the OEM industry,” said Kyung Ae Prevost, who is now a Komatsu compensation analyst. “My internship gave me a deeper understanding of Komatsu’s operations, culture, and people. One of the most impactful aspects was the ability to build genuine connections with employees and leaders across the business. I consistently felt supported and encouraged to ask questions. Everyone I encountered was eager to share their knowledge and passion for their work.”
One of the hallmark elements of the program is the “Meet the Leader” learning series. This business overview forum connects interns from all business units and legal entities with Komatsu leaders who offer insights into product lines, innovation initiatives, service strategies and, most importantly,
transferable career skills and pathways for growth within the company.
“It meant a great deal that Komatsu’s leaders took the time to meet with us,” Prevost said. “They weren’t just delivering presentations. They were genuinely interested in getting to know us, answering our questions, and building meaningful connections. That level of engagement made us feel truly valued and seen, even as interns. It reflected how deeply Komatsu invests in its people, and how committed both employees and leaders are to supporting our success.”
To further enrich the learning experience, interns participate in ongoing development sessions that emphasize key workplace competencies such as personal branding, cross-generational collaboration, and the importance of giving and receiving feedback. Interns are encouraged to explore and grow within their fields of interest. As a capstone to their experience, each intern presents a final project to members of Komatsu’s executive leadership team. This is a unique opportunity for interns to showcase their work, insights, and ideas on how Komatsu can better serve its customers, dealers, and employees moving forward.
“I was able to contribute to meaningful, high-impact projects that aligned with Komatsu’s strategic goals and not just administrative tasks,” Prevost said. “My peers shared similar experiences, which were evident in their capstone presentations that tackled real business challenges. It was empowering to know our work mattered.”
Another highlight on the internship experience is the opportunity to participate in a trip to key locations such as Komatsu’s Chattanooga factory, its Cartersville Customer Center, or one of the company’s trusted dealers. These immersive visits allow interns to experience the full customer journey, from equipment design and manufacturing to distribution and ultimately real-world application in the field. This type of firsthand experience helps interns gain a profound appreciation for the complexity, innovation, and coordination required across Komatsu.
A Win-Win-Win
The Komatsu internship program has proved to be a high-impact initiative for not only the interns, but also Komatsu and the broader heavy equipment industry.
“Our internship program has evolved into a highly structured and purpose-driven experience that extends far beyond simply providing college students with a glimpse into professional life,” Rapp said. “What began as a foundational learning opportunity has grown into a multifaceted program that not only introduces interns to the realities of the working world, but also reinforces Komatsu’s broader commitments to employee engagement, workforce development, and industry promotion.”
Komatsu’s internship program has organically become a key marketing and branding opportunity, positioning both Komatsu and the heavy equipment industry as exciting and innovative career destinations. At the same time, it serves as a valuable employee engagement platform, inviting current employees to take part in the intern experience through mentorship, project collaboration, and leadership development.
Komatsu has realized one other benefit. Interns have continually brought fresh perspectives that the company has found to be extremely valuable. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and desire to make a difference have challenged Komatsu employees to think differently and innovate even further. Together, Komatsu and its interns are working together to help shape not just careers, but the future of the heavy equipment industry.
