Gabriel Norton, a Precision Machining and Manufacturing Technology student at South Georgia Technical College, has been selected for a competitive four-month internship with International Paper at the Flint River Mill in Oglethorpe.
Norton will serve as an Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Technician intern in the Product Unit, where he will rotate every two weeks to gain hands-on experience across multiple units within the facility.
Before transitioning to the Precision Machining and Manufacturing program under instructor Jake Pittman, Norton completed four semesters in SGTC’s Welding and Joining Technology program, earning four technical certificates of credit.
“I originally planned to pursue a career with Pratt & Whitney,” said Norton. “But through Career Services, I learned about opportunities with International Paper—right in my own backyard. After some thought, I changed programs and began training for something that aligned more closely with my career goals.”
Norton credited SGTC Career Services Director Cynthia Carter for helping him revise and strengthen his resume. He also emphasized the value of his communication skills, which he developed while working for his grandparents at Hancock Funeral Home for three years.
“I know how to talk to people, especially those who are grieving,” said Norton. “That experience taught me humility, professionalism, and empathy—skills that carry over into any career.”
Norton is married to Brooke North, who manages a local funeral home. The couple continues to call Oglethorpe home.
To learn more about SGTC’s Career Services resources, email Cynthia Carter at ccarter@southgatech.edu.
To apply for admission or learn more about Precision Machining and Manufacturing and over 200 more programs offered at South Georgia Technical College, visit www.southgatech.edu.