Experience Matters - Grand Valley State University

390 Co-op

Josephine
Major: Mechanical Engineering I had launch engineering position this co-op rotation. Launch is our word for getting a machine up and running and ready to ship out to the customer. I worked on several machines, setting sensors, cameras, and flow controls, and testing the auto and manual functions of the machines with customer parts.

Komen Michigan Intern

Shannon
Major: Advertising & Public Relations I created an email template for current and future events. If they need to send an email to the public they can select a template and send the email from there. Complete press releases for Komen Michigan events. I was supposed to attend some events, but the coronavirus happened.

Angela Experience

Chad
Major: Advertising & Public Relations During my time at Angela Hospice, I was assigned to work on sending out gift bags with pillows that can be heated up, as well as a separate package that included Angela Hospice scarves to long time donors. These gifts are meant to show how much we cherish their commitment whether they donate because of a loved one they have right now, or someone who has previously passed away. They believe in what we do, and we cherish their support completely. Helping write and send out the messages is different and unique to each individual person due to the fact that we use consumer databases to find research different information about them. This special care helped develop my skills as a writer and patience. I was also assigned to write scripts for some of the videos we wanted to produce for the company promotions, I was put In charge of directing some of the scenes as well. If you donýt have good people skills it is very hard to explain to those participating what your vision is, and how you want it done. Only then can they completely understand the bigger picture of the project. Many of the scripts focused on training videos, one of them being a fire evacuation drill. The procedures have to seem firm and professional, and everyone must remain in a calm procedure so itýs not to confuse to viewer of the behavior expected. I had to make sure that the dialogue was long enough to fit each video taken and if what was being shown matched up with the dialogue.

Factory Automation

Colton
Major: Electrical Engineering This semester I was working with the controls programming team. I started with looking at the electrical prints to determine the components that were going to be used in the machine then looked at the model with the project manager to understand the process of operations and motions necessary for the machine to perform. I then wrote the code to communicate with the PLC and components, control sequences, and interact with digital and analog inputs/outputs.

2nd Rotation at Herman Miller - Great!

Jesse
Major: Electrical Engineering I worked on several kinds of projects, but most involved updating or creating PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) code for industrial equipment, as well as creating documentation for them (Bill of Materials (BOM), CAD drawings, etc). I wasn't stuck at the desk all day, every day, as I would need to inspect the machines or lines I would be altering to make sure design would work in reality. I worked with people from several departments to complete projects, attending meetings and such.

DeWys 2nd Co-op Rotation

Zachary
Major: Mechanical Engineering This semester, I completed a variety of design projects. One of which was a continuation of a previous co-op student's project, where I finalized his design, fabricated the project, and saw it through testing until it was ready to be used to run production parts. I completed various other design and fabrication projects, including designing and fabricating a trash bin lifting system for a trash compactor.

2nd Co-Op Rotation

Cameron
Major: Electrical Engineering As an intern within a lighting production cell, I was given cell responsibilities to assist in production and process/machine improvements daily, with monthly obligations to manage cell safety and inventory. Half of each workday I aided in operation of an assembly line, and the other half was defined as project time. I have spent time analyzing and diagnosing scrap issues such as but not limited to electrical failures and process faults. Other projects consist of designing and implementing quality tool improvements, tracking component use, and implementing safety measures.

City of Holland Recreation Internship

Anna
Major: Sport Management During my time as an intern, the main programs that I worked with were youth and adult basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and softball. I also had the opportunity to work a couple of non-sport activities such as the daddy daughter dance and mother son date. I was responsible for finding contacts to send out marketing promotions to in order to increase program participation. I was also a site supervisor for the basketball programs to ensure everything was running smoothly. Lastly, I gained experience in selling sponsorship.

JR Automation ME Rotation 1

Evan
Major: Mechanical Engineering As a Mechanical Engineer Intern I designed, detailed, and checked my own work as well as others. All Design work was done on Creo and there were plenty of opportunities to learn something new everyday.

Product Design at ODL

Callie
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering I have had the opportunity to dive deep into hands on projects. From sketching, CAD, and Prototyping to seeing the product manufactured and shipped to customers it has been a really special opportunity. I worked directly under a mentor and was challenged and guided to learn the basics skills and behaviors that will lead me to be a great engineer. I spent my first co-op rotation in current product development and my second rotation in new product development.

Engineering Co-Op rotation 2

Dylan
Major: Mechanical Engineering I got to develop two new products and an electro-mechanical system.

Magna Mirrors Engineering Co-op 2

Jacob
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering This semester I worked along side product engineers in the door handle product development department. Throughout the semester I helped with the validating and prototyping of various door handles for numerous car manufacturers. I spent a good majority of my time working on durability and ultimate strength testing for door handles. Along with that I did an in depth DOE on salt water submersion tests and its impact on the capacitors in electronics. I was also given my own design project/DOE for developing the next generation of switches that will be used in Magna's future door handles.

ENGINEERING CO-OP II

David
Major: Mechanical Engineering Continuing on through the second co-op rotation, I have mostly been working on new product development and testing with regards to coupler products (Fifth Wheels). I got into more complex projects involving design of new products and inovative designs to decrease cost and weight.

Second Co-Op Rotation

Morgan
Major: Mechanical Engineering This co-op rotation, I was responsible for the entirety of the programming for the PLC's and HMI's of two machines for two automotive Tier 1 suppliers. In addition, I communicated with customers about the controls and programming of their machines.

Embedded Software Test Engineer at Gentex

Wesley
Major: Computer Engineering I tested the embedded systems within Gentex mirrors and wrote scripts.

Refugee Education Center Social Work Case Aide Intern

Kathryn
Major: International Relations I did a variety of different things. I did a lot of paperwork, working on case files, going on home visits, learning how to work with interpreters, and a lot of other behind the scenes work.

Intern Athletic Director

Andrew
Major: Sport Management I worked day to day operations as well as some of the evening event. One specific project that I worked on was the 50th anniversary celebration. I had to go back through 50 years of yearbooks and type up a roster for boys cross country, football, and sideline cheer. This roster was then presented to each fan at the gate of the football game.

495 Internship

Rashound
Major: Sport Management My Main duties were on game days where I would help set up courts for Basketball or women's and co-ed volleyball. I made sure games ran smoothly and kept score and stats when needed. I helped teams fill out paperwork, and made sure that teams knew when their next games were and directed them to where they played. I also helped with Youth sports and that at times was a little more challenging dealing with parents. I helped run a kinder league class a couple times and supervised games and made sure no kids got hurt and parents did not get too rowdy.

Great Co-op Experience

Robin
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering " Designed assembly cells and fixtures for the Aeron, Cosm, Case Goods and Vivo lines " Collaborated with line engineers to interpret initial problems and provide solutions within established time, budget and quality expectations " Responsible for material selection, implementation footprint, scope of work, bill of materials and manufacturing processes for each solution

Co-op #3

Brittany
Major: Electrical Engineering Over my third co-op rotation, I was able to tie up loose ends on a website remodeling project that was started on my second rotation. In addition, I worked individually to complete a large portion of a campaign for a product. I was also given time to look into SAR research, an area of study I am interested in.

SAF-HOLLAND Electrical Co-Op Rotation 3

Alexander
Major: Electrical Engineering During my Co-Op experience I have completed new technology research, experimental analysis, and prototype development. In my experience I researched a variety of electrical technology applications, specifically in sensor technologies. A significant amount of my Co-Op experience involved experimental analysis of both electrical hardware and software applications, which included simulations, testing, and measurement using instruments such as oscilloscopes, DMMs, current probes, and other observational tools. The experimental analysis included hypothesis testing and validation, as well as documentation of testing and evaluation. I was fortunate to work on new product development projects which included making prototypes, exploratory models, and generating testing tools. Throughout the process I performed multiple types of documentation, presentations, and reports.

A Liftoff into Launch

Joseph
Major: Mechanical Engineering My primary project this semester was to assist with the deployment of a custom machine to build sub assemblies for automotive components. The machine consisted of five robots, six component feeding systems, vision systems, and a variety of assembly and testing apparatus'. My duties included: * Teaching and tuning sensors. * Verification of machine functions during the machine cycle. * Fine tuning cylinder positions, robot pick and place positions, and actuator responses. * Offering feedback to the design and assembly teams for engineering changes and overall project direction and development. * Assembly and modification of machine subsystems. * Customer interaction to explain machine functions/modifications. * Coordination with mechanical engineers and machine shop to get pieces installed in the most achievable time frame. * Preparing machine for shipment to the customer. * Verify HMI interactions with operators. * Wiring modifications and replacing of minor electrical equipment. * Assure machine was compliant to safety audits and practices. * Preparation of shipment documentation. * Fine tuned feeder systems for small parts entering the machine cell. Other projects that I worked on throughout the semester included: * A series of ten individual workstations for the assembly of an all electric car console. * A series of nine individual workstations for the assembly of automotive interior components. * Shipment prep on a variety of different machine bases.

Sales with the Grand Rapids Drive

Rick
Major: Sport Management A full time job that included: 1. Finding and gathering prospects interested in Drive basketball 2. Setting meetings with prospects and telling them more about the different plans and packages the Drive has to offer 3. Sponsorship Activation 4. Arranging Away team Travel while visiting Grand Rapids 5. Organizing Non-profit Donations 6. Community outreach and Events

Advanced Manufacturing Engineer

Eric
Major: Mechanical Engineering Day to day activities includes quoting, part setup, tooling design, material deficiency report review, and change-order processing. I also managed two projects: one was the acquisition and logistics of a new gas-fired oven (dims: 16ft x 10ft) and the other was the design and execution of a new 10.1 HP lathe. Both pieces of equipment were installed at the M-43 location.

DHBW Co-Op Abroad in Germany at Solar Research Company

Stephen
Major: Mechanical Engineering I was tasked with the development of a heat chamber. The heat chamber was to reach and maintain certain temperatures in order to measure the emissivity of silicon wafers at different temperatures and angles of measurement.