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For most students, internships are a stepping stone; something to fill a resume and gain experience. For Dillin Henderson, an electrical engineering major at ������ý��Ƶ, his internship with became the launchpad for his career. Heading into his senior year, Henderson has already accepted a full-time offer from one of the most respected engineering companies in the world.

“It started with the parallel co-op program,” Henderson said. “I work 10 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours per week in the summer.” This flexibility allowed him to stay committed to both his studies and his professional development, a balance not many internships provide.

As an Electrical Systems Engineer in the OEM Solutions Controls and Electronics Group, Henderson contributes to major projects. His primary focus is on off-highway water trucks used in mining and construction industries. “I help develop water delivery features, provide product support, and work on building advanced camera systems,” he explained. 

And his involvement goes beyond the drawing board. “I’ve been fortunate to see projects through every stage from design, validation, and testing,” he said. “For example, with the camera systems, I start by helping to design the application, then test and install the systems on the trucks, and finally support the operator training and feedback.” His hands-on experience includes visits to Caterpillar’s proving grounds in Peoria and Tucson, where he worked directly on machines to ensure features functioned as intended in real-world conditions.

Applying What He Learned

Henderson credits much of his technical foundation to his coursework at ������ý��Ƶ, particularly Dr. Kim’s Mechanical Control Systems class. “That class gave me a strong base in control systems, which I’ve used daily in my role,” he said. He also highlighted how classroom experiences helped him quickly adapt to using industry-standard tools such as IQANdesign, Creo, Creo Schematics, Dspace software, and CatET—tools he now uses regularly in his job.

When asked about Caterpillar’s workplace environment, Henderson shared his love for the company. “The culture is unmatched,” he said. “As an early-career engineer, I’m trusted with real, meaningful work. I get to speak directly with customers, collaborate with suppliers, and work alongside experienced engineers and managers.” According to Henderson, that level of responsibility is rare for interns. “Caterpillar gives you opportunities to grow fast.”

He’s also experienced both independent and team-based projects. “The camera systems project began as something I worked on alone,” he said. “But as it gained traction and popularity with customers, it became more collaborative. Now I work closely with another engineer to continue developing it.” This balance between autonomy and teamwork has been key to his professional growth.

Throughout his internship, Henderson received regular feedback from his manager, which helped guide his development and build his confidence. “My manager treated me like a full-time engineer from the start,” he said. “We’d meet regularly to discuss how I was doing, where I could improve, and where my strengths were.”

Caterpillar’s support and investment in his growth made accepting the full-time offer an easy decision. But Henderson also had personal reasons for committing to the company. “My grandfather worked at Caterpillar for over 35 years,” he said proudly. “He started on the assembly line and worked his way up to plant manager. That kind of upward mobility and company loyalty means something to me.”

Looking forward, Henderson sees a long-term future with the company. “Caterpillar promotes internally and values hard work. With the team I’m on now, I’m confident this is where I want to grow my career and hopefully retire one day.”

For students hoping to follow in his footsteps, Henderson offers thoughtful advice.

•  “Be passionate about your work.” Whether it’s a class project, a club, or a job, showing enthusiasm makes a difference.
• “Take initiative and lead when you can.” Whether through a student organization or academic project, demonstrating leadership gets noticed. 
• “Be confident in what you’ve done.” According to Henderson, confidence is key in interviews. “
•  “And finally, be willing to learn.” With a company as large and complex as Caterpillar, there’s always something new to absorb.

He also encourages students to be proactive when Caterpillar comes to campus. “Don’t be afraid to walk up to our booth at the BECC or career fair,” he said. “We want to talk to candidates who are excited and curious.”

Henderson’s journey is proof that with dedication, passion, and a bit of boldness, it’s possible to turn a college internship into a meaningful career. From classroom theories to off-highway machines, he’s building something real, both on Caterpillar’s job sites and in his own life.

— Lenny Liebermann, senior Sports Communication major, Journalism minor