Big-name contracts mean jobs
When Brookings-based Daktronics wins major contracts, SDSU students are major benefactors.
John Nelson
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: News
Daktronics, Inc., the largest employer in Brookings, employed a record number of college students in the year of 2007.
Daktronics currently has 614 students on its payroll with 451 of them enrolled at SDSU. Students constitute about one-fourth of the employee body.
Aelred Kurtenbach, co-founder of Daktronics and former engineering professor, considers college students to be an integral part of the company.
"I see a student position as an opportunity for 'student engagement,'" said Kurtenbach. "We give them a chance to enhance themselves. It allows us to get to know these bright young people and possibly give them a reason to stay in Brookings after they graduate."
The company opened 54 new student positions in all of its departments in 2007. Over half of those positions are in non-manufacturing environments.
"We hire students from all areas of academia whether it's electrical engineering, journalism, English or business," said Kurtenbach.
"Daktronics has had a relationship with SDSU for over 35 years. We see the university as a magnet for bright minds, and we strive to meet as many of these bright-minded people as possible."
Kurtenbach, along with Duane Sanders, were faculty members of SDSU's College of Engineering when they started Daktronics in 1968.
According to Daktronics' recruiting department, the company fills many full-time positions with former student employees.
"About one half of our students accept full-time position offers after they graduate from college," said Duane Everding, a Daktronics recruiter. "We consider the students to be the best pool of people to choose from whenever a full-time position opens. They are the most familiar with the company, and they tend to bring fresh ideas to the table."
Stacie Buus worked as a full-time student at Daktronics for three years until the company hired her after she graduated from SDSU. Buus currently works in Daktronics' Personnel Department with insurance benefits and salary pay.
Daktronics currently has 614 students on its payroll with 451 of them enrolled at SDSU. Students constitute about one-fourth of the employee body.
Aelred Kurtenbach, co-founder of Daktronics and former engineering professor, considers college students to be an integral part of the company.
"I see a student position as an opportunity for 'student engagement,'" said Kurtenbach. "We give them a chance to enhance themselves. It allows us to get to know these bright young people and possibly give them a reason to stay in Brookings after they graduate."
The company opened 54 new student positions in all of its departments in 2007. Over half of those positions are in non-manufacturing environments.
"We hire students from all areas of academia whether it's electrical engineering, journalism, English or business," said Kurtenbach.
"Daktronics has had a relationship with SDSU for over 35 years. We see the university as a magnet for bright minds, and we strive to meet as many of these bright-minded people as possible."
Kurtenbach, along with Duane Sanders, were faculty members of SDSU's College of Engineering when they started Daktronics in 1968.
According to Daktronics' recruiting department, the company fills many full-time positions with former student employees.
"About one half of our students accept full-time position offers after they graduate from college," said Duane Everding, a Daktronics recruiter. "We consider the students to be the best pool of people to choose from whenever a full-time position opens. They are the most familiar with the company, and they tend to bring fresh ideas to the table."
Stacie Buus worked as a full-time student at Daktronics for three years until the company hired her after she graduated from SDSU. Buus currently works in Daktronics' Personnel Department with insurance benefits and salary pay.
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