Intern Spotlight: Meet Dakota Vail, Mr. Chain’s Office Intern

At Mr. Chain, we know our strength comes not only from the quality of our products but also from the people behind them. This summer, we’ve had the pleasure of working with intern Dakota Vail, whose thoughtful approach, curiosity, and eagerness to learn have made him a valuable part of the team. We sat down with Dakota to hear more about his background, his experience at Mr. Chain, and what he’s learned along the way.

From Cadillac to Siena Heights

Dakota Vail grew up in Cadillac, Michigan, and stayed close to home until college took him to Siena Heights University in Adrian, where he studies accounting and data analytics. His path into the business world started back in high school with a class that piqued his interest in finance. “I knew I wanted to do something with business,” he explained. “I took an accounting class in high school, which made me interested in the more financial side of business.”

Outside the Office

When he’s not crunching numbers or studying, Dakota keeps things grounded and social. “I like to hang out with my friends as much as I can and spend time with my family too,” he shared. His downtime helps balance out the focused, detail-oriented work he does during the week.

A Behind-the-Scenes Role in the Office

Dakota works as an office intern, where he handles a mix of accounting tasks and data work. “I help with accounts receivables remittances, data entry, and any office task that is asked of me,” he said. He’s also contributed to bigger projects, like a time study for the assembly department and data analysis for production.

Though the start was a bit fast-paced, Dakota adjusted quickly. “It was a lot when I first got here,” he admitted. “I learned a lot of new things quickly. But over the last month, I have become more comfortable in my position.”

Continued Learning

One of the most surprising parts of Dakota’s internship has been discovering how robotics is being used in different processes. “The robotics that are being implemented are very interesting,” he said. He’s especially curious to continue learning more about how technology supports efficiency on the floor.

Working Across Teams

While Dakota’s main duties are in the office, his internship has also given him the chance to connect with other departments. “I have been able to work with both our assembly and production departments,” he explained. Whether helping in assembly when things slowed down or presenting findings to the production team, Dakota appreciated how open and supportive everyone was. “Both departments were very helpful and gave good feedback on my work.”

Growth Through Experience

Like many internships, Dakota’s time at Mr. Chain has been full of learning opportunities—and not just technical ones. “I have learned some real-world applications of the information I gained from my time in college,” he said. But perhaps more importantly, he’s also grown personally: “I have gotten better at asking for help when I need it.”

Communication has been a key area of growth. “I think I have developed my communication skills the most. I am constantly working with other people and talking to them about what I am working on or questions I might have.”

Staying Focused and Fueled

When it comes to staying on task, Dakota has a favorite method: “I like to listen to podcasts while I work. Most of the time it’s just for background noise… but it helps me stay productive.” As for lunch? He keeps it efficient and tasty: “I meal prep my lunches and made red beans and rice over the weekend, which has made for a good lunch at work.”

Superhero Mode

We wrapped up the conversation with a fun question: if Dakota were a superhero, what would his powers be? Without missing a beat, he replied, “If I was a superhero, my name would be Production Man. I’d have the power to make anyone see what’s going on as if it was being shot as a movie.” Not only is it a creative answer—it’s also a nod to the analytical lens Dakota brings to his work.

Thank You, Dakota!

We’re grateful for the contributions Dakota has made during his internship. His attention to detail, willingness to collaborate, and desire to keep learning have made him an asset to the Mr. Chain team. As he heads back to Siena Heights to continue his studies, we’re confident he’s building a strong foundation for wherever his future career takes him.

Thanks for a great summer, Dakota—and best of luck with everything ahead!