Experience Matters - Grand Valley State University

JR Automation - 3rd Rotation

Robert
Major: Computer Engineering Briefly, and ignoring many specifics that are covered in a different prompt, I was charged with commissioning two different machines. This means assigning IPs, configuring devices, and establishing a happy network by which the PLC communicates with its peripherals. I also was charged with being primarily responsible for programming an HMI for one machine, and assisting in the HMI program of another. I assisted in debugging PLC logic, hardware testing (I/O checking, VFD testing, etc.), I/O mapping and writing some of the safety program for one of the projects. I also assisted with auto-sequences, manual motions, dry cycle testing. I'm sure I'm missing a lot. If you prove yourself capable and eager, JR is always happy to give you more.

Phase 1 Engineering Co-op

Benjamin
Major: Electrical Engineering Wrote embedded code for wireless charger. Wrote testing interface for wireless charger. Wrote controller for an inductive stove. Wrote interface for inductive stove.

My Final Co-op at L3Harris

Josh
Major: Electrical Engineering I specifically worked within the test engineering department. As a result, most of my time was spent either setting up/designing parts for automated testing stations, troubleshooting issues with testing stations and conducting test procedures.

Co op rotation 3

Natalia
Major: Mechanical Engineering I worked on a variety of different projects. My main role was to keep track of the scrap parts made during production and learn what caused the parts to be bad and work toward a solution. I was also exposed to supply chain management. I performed audits, took inventory, and learned to use an inventory tracking software. Another responsibility I had was to update and debug one of our machines to improve efficiency. I also helped with 5S and assembled a wiring harness for testing purposes.

IPM Mechanical Engineering Rotation 3

Gavin
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering As a Co-Op at IPM, you have the same job responsibilities as your engineering mentors. Because IPM is a systems integrator, we get to work with both other individualsý equipment, as well as develop our own custom machine centers. The major, high-level task for a given project, include developing a plant layout, designing custom equipment in 3D cad, releasing equipment, guiding the build and providing installation support. As a Co-Op student, you will likely get to touch each of these steps on large projects, as needed, or you may get to complete all of them on a smaller sided project, depending on the work that is needed to be done.

M.E. Co-Op with HS Inc.

Steven
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my third Co-Op rotation, I played the role of a full-time mechanical design engineer. I was in charge of designing eight different automation machines using SolidWorks 2019. Each machine was designed around a different automated process. These machines were designed to assemble automotive interior parts.

Ravenna Ductile Iron Co-Op III

Nicholas
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering As a member of the RDI Engineering team projects this semester primarily revolved around the utilization of CAD software to design new mold patterns and reverse engineer existing patterns. The entire process from design to ordering and examination of new patterns was performed. I was also tasked with performing scrap analysis, wherein scrap castings were observed to determine patterns and trends to devise solutions and reduce scrap total. Hands-on tasks concerned with the cleaning and inspection of existing patterns were also performed daily.

EBW Electronics - Rotation II

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering Projects consisted of product function tester designs and builds, fixture designs, packaging designs, torque studies using torque transducers, project management, and developing engineering drawings using GD&T.

Koops Inc, Not Your Average Company

Ryan
Major: Computer Engineering This semester I worked in the Controls Engineering Division. This meant that my tasks included offline preparatory programming for machines that were still being assembled, online programming and debug on fully assembled machines, and upgrading/adding features based on customer requests throughout the duration of the time that machines were on site at Koops. I worked closely with my mentor, Justin, who taught me the programming standards at Koops and answered any questions I had. In total I worked on 14 machines on the shop floor, and helped with offline programming for an additional 3 machines. 13 of these machines I was able to see from start to finish, through offline, debug, and runoff, and helped crate them up and send them to Mexico, where they are being integrated into a plant.

GVSU Club Sports

Michael
Major: Sport Management I was tasked with handling day to day external and internal operations for things surrounding club sports. I wrote numerous articles for our website (gvsuclubsports.com), coordinated appropriate spreadsheets for day to day functions of our clubs, handled organization of specific files for our clubs and office, and supervised all things involved with game operations.

EGR 490 Co-op 3

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering Throughout the co-op semester, I worked on several K-12 education, government, and healthcare projects that involved designing new and updating existing mechanical systems (HVAC, mechanical equipment, and domestic plumbing). I was presented with a higher level of responsibility through getting to work on smaller projects from start to finish with the oversee of a professional engineer. An interesting project that I worked on was a snowmelt system that involved using knowledge I learned at GVSU as well as applying practical knowledge from work experience.

Coalescence

Anthony
Major: Mechanical Engineering I oversaw and assisted with multiple program developments, quality control of parts received, prototype design and manufacture. Furthermore, I was given opportunities to exercise GVSU curricula in ways that fused disparate regions of study.

Applications Engineering Co-op Rotation

Kyle
Major: Mechanical Engineering My primary role was to develop quotes for automation projects requested by our customers. This involves reviewing specifications, asking questions to further our understanding of the requirements, working with our team to develop concepts, determining costs, and writing technical proposals.

Volunteer Baseball Coach

Grant
Major: Sport Management My tasks include taking care of the players in the weight room, helping the pitchers on the team, and baseball operations for the team. One of my biggest tasks I was in charge of is I am in charge of a prospect camp that is being held in January. It is my job to run, staff, and make sure everything runs smoothly.

Advanced Product Development

Kelly
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering This semester I designed and built an end-of-line test fixture that is now in production in our Grand Haven plant. I also developed a general lighting specification for all of Magna Mirrors' lighting modules. Miscellaneous jobs I completed this semester included benchmarking, running a CNC, and product testing

Koops Controls Programming Co-op

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my co-op rotation as a member of the Koops controls programming team my primary responsibility was to program the custom automation equipment that the company produces. The main tasks associated with this were programming PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and the other devices that the PLC interacts with, such as industrial robots, dispensing systems, and vision systems. During the fall semester I had the opportunity to work on two main projects, one of which I was able to work on as the primary controls programmer.

Koops Controls Programming Co-op

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my co-op rotation as a member of the Koops controls programming team my primary responsibility was to program the custom automation equipment that the company produces. The main tasks associated with this were programming PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and the other devices that the PLC interacts with, such as industrial robots, dispensing systems, and vision systems. During the fall semester I had the opportunity to work on two main projects, one of which I was able to work on as the primary controls programmer.

John Ball Zoo Marketing and Social Media

Bailee
Major: Advertising & Public Relations At John Ball Zoo, I co-managed their social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This involved spending a significant amount of time photographing animals and staff and writing content for posts. I also worked on newsletters, press releases, radio ads, and keeping track of media mentions.

Deksia Digital Specialist Internship

Anna
Major: Advertising & Public Relations In my time at Deksia I did many web updates for clients via google ads and google analytics. I also kept client information up to date across the board on all websites using third party scanning services and other SEO tactics that Deksia taught me while I was there. I created Facebook, Instagram and email ads for various clients and created email drip campaigns.

Co-op

Jacob
Major: Electrical Engineering Designing embedded systems. PCB design. Designed and programmed an embedded system to control an air compressor on a schedule set by the user. The schedule could be altered on a touch screen.

Feel Like You Belong Internship Experience

Laura
Major: Communications I created newsletters and helped tag YouTube videos. During the shoot, I greeted guests and had them sign release forms and ran the teleprompter while filming. I also assist in putting together the set.

Growing Locally: My Internship with a Small Local Business

Kaleigh
Major: Advertising & Public Relations I was the Digital Marketing Manager and Event Coordinator for the small, locally-owned boutique. I was in charge of improving the website & social media content & exposure, creating advertisements for news media, brochures, & direct mail, planning and promoting events, and scheduling networking events with other local businesses & influencers.

Campus Recreation in Madison

Bryce
Major: Sport Management I had the opportunity to work on many different projects within operations. My biggest summer project was working on the FFE budget of around $5 million for a brand new rec center that will be opening this winter.

Legal Internship

Delaney
Major: Political Science As a legal intern at Serling & Abramson, I was tasked with multiple different assignments. For the most part, I was always available to help any coworker in any way they needed. I had the opportunity to do legal research for attorney's, prepare service documents, organize discovery documents, as well as answer the office phones when needed.

Serving the 4th district

Dorian
Major: Political Science My tasks were answering the phones, conducting research, sending out mailings, giving tours, and helping the congressman/staff with any and all tasks.