Experience Matters - Grand Valley State University

EGR 290 - Co-Op I

Brianna
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my first Co-Op rotation, I was involved in designing prototypes, 3D printing prototypes, drafting and executing design verification and validation protocols, updating existing drawings, discussing action items for projects with customers, and drafting incoming inspection documents. For the first half of the rotation, I spent most of my time designing a connector that will be used in a new catheter design. For the second half of the rotation, I spent a lot of my time 3D printing the prototypes for this connector as well as executing the testing protocols for it.

Magna Mirrors Engineering Co-op 1

Jacob
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering This semester I worked along with product engineers in the door handle product development department. Throughout the semester I helped with the design and validation of various handle projects for numerous leading car manufacturers. Since the facility I worked at is an R&D facility, I spent a lot of time in the tool shop and validation lab modifying and testing handles for ultimate strength, travel, effort, and CFM (air flow). I also completing freeze test studies to determine water ingress. Another big part of everything I worked on was documentation of what I was doing. I spent a lot of time creating DOE's (design of experiments) for the tests I performed as well as filling out design verification plan and reports and bills of material.

Consumers Energy Co-op Experience

Ryan
Major: Electrical Engineering During this internship, my main task was service design for the metro systems. Metro systems are all underground in major cities (Jackson, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Flint etc.) as opposed to overhead lines normally seen on poles. Using CAD software, I designed the existing and planned services for each of my jobs. I also did calculations in order to find the correct transformer and fuses for each of my jobs.

Engineering Co-op at Flexco

Trevor
Major: Mechanical Engineering I did engineering work involving testing, designing, building, and analyzing data. A lot of the projects took grit and determination, because they were massive and had different obstacles to tackle the whole way through. I like a challenge since it does my heart good to see it all finished and to feel accomplished at what I had achieved.

X-59 Operations Engineering Experience

Noah
Major: Electrical Engineering Performed a complete inventory on a T-38 canopy and crew escape system so it can be recycled for the X-59, performed a complete analysis of the oxygen flow for the life support system in multiple scenarios, and assisted with test set up for a full performance test of the life support system.

Software Engineering at Liqid Inc.

Noah
Major: Computer Engineering As an Embedded Systems Intern at Liqid, I worked with the software team to create a conversion program that will read devices' states from a previous version of LiqidOS, and translate those states to be compatible with a newer version of LiqidOS. This way, a user does not run the risk of re-instantiating all of their connected devices, alongside losing their data. I have also performed a data mine of production of 2018 storage devices to determine a pass/fail threshold for a quality control script. This determined if the device created does not meet the speed and functionality standard.

Great learning experience

Malcolm
Major: Mechanical Engineering One of my main tasks was managing the 3D printing schedule and the prints themselves. I spent a good amount of time in the machine shop, doing development work in the lab, and creating/updating documentation.

1st Co-op Rotation

Bryce
Major: Mechanical Engineering Pressroom: -Worked production on press -Helped change out dies -Cleaned up presses Die Shop: -Worked production on press -Learned about press simulating software -Assisted in setting up parts for CNC -Assisted in setting up parts for EDM -Machined some punches -Assisted in assembling die Maintenance: -Observed maintenance work on multiple machines -Observed how weld adjustments are done -Performed preventative maintenance -Did maintenance on a pin press Materials: -Cycled Inventory -Scrapped Obsolete inventory Quality: -Assisted with PPAP's -Worked on pin hole diameter study -Worked on torque testing study -Worked on CAD tutorial in free time -Designed gauge fixtures using Creo 4.0 -Worked on visual aids Manufacturing Engineering: -Worked on rework data analyzing tool -Began rework data study -Assisted with weld adjustments and fixture inspections -Designed sensor bracket -Assisted with headrest start up line Estimating: - Continued rework data study - Worked on time study for assembling tasks - Shadowed people to learn more about the estimating world Continuous Improvement: N/A Assembly: N/A

First Co-Op Rotation @ L3Harris

Michael
Major: Electrical Engineering This semester was my first co-op rotation of three with L3Harris. I worked on a few different programs that test different products before they are produced, like calibration tests and temperature tests. My goal for these programs was to make each program better than it was before, whether it be making it more efficient, adding new quality-of-life improvements, or reducing memory usage. I also helped fix hardware for these tests, like computers or proprietary hardware, to make sure that everything was functioning as desired.

Engineering Co op First Rotation

Daniel
Major: Mechanical Engineering My main focus was to look for ways to improve efficiency in the Eames Lounge Chair cell. This involved creating new work stations for cushion upholstery and carts to transport foam in and out of the cell. This resulted in creating more space within the cell and better material flow.

Engineering Co-op Rotation I

Jenna
Major: Mechanical Engineering Some of the projects I completed involved helping to control our processes. I used applications like MiniTab to take a statistical approach to each of our processes to better target nominal on dimensions called out in the blueprint. Other projects included designing a small visual gauge and designing a template to improve our welding process. Other tasks included assisting the quality and manufacturing engineer in trouble shooting daily shop floor issues.

Engineering Co-Op I

David
Major: Mechanical Engineering Here at SAF-Holland, I have mostly been working on improvements to lab supplies and cost reducing tooling with regards to coupler products (Fifth Wheels). As the semester progressed, I got into more complex projects such as: redesign proposal for fifth wheel components, design of new crimping tool, FEA analysis on fifth wheel components, and much more.

Launch Engineering Co-op - 1st Rotation

Walker
Major: Interdisciplinary Engineering Day-to-day tasks included running and testing machines, debugging machines,continuous improvement of machines, and vision programming. The main job of a launch engineer is to debug machines and make adjustments to them so that they work as designed.

Morning Host

Brett
Major: Multimedia Journalism During this internship, I was on air from 9-11 on Monday's and Wednesday's. I played music and talked between songs. I also helped run concerts the station put together and broadcasted live from them. I also helped fundraise for the station.

Griff's Georgetown Operations Intern

Allison
Major: Sport Management As an operations intern I had a variety of tasks. Some of the ice duties were zamming the ice, edging and chipping, figure eights, replace boards, make blade changes, and check the depth of the ice throughout the rink. A few operation duties not dealing with the ice were painting marks throughout the rink, compressor scada system training, use floor scrubbers, and know how to operate the refrigeration units.

Fulfilling Internship

Carter
Major: Information Systems - Windows 10 migration Client Management Suite migration Level III support of Client technology Office365 support - Computer deployments for members - Computer cleaning - Configuration of warehouse default computers (i.e. logon logistics, specialized software installation, set-up at designated warehouse location, etc.) - Daily tasks of tickets

My Summer Internship at The Borgen Project

Anna
Major: Writing I wrote weekly articles that were due every week on Friday. Articles were to be proposed to our managers and had to be approved before we could begin to write them. There was also the option to use article ideas and titles that were already proposed and ready to be written about. Interns were to complete their weekly trackers that included activities like promoting The Borgen Project and calling/emailing congress to make a difference.

Living Like a Stanley Cup Champion

William
Major: Sport Management I filled internal/external ticket requests for events at the Enterprise Center. I assisted in ticket resolution issues during events at Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre in the box office. I helped with archiving of paperwork/data from previous Blues. Finally, I assisted with the development of the 2019-2020 season and single game plan tickets. Helping to set price codes, event and ticket interfaces.

On-Campus Marketing Internship

Julia
Major: Advertising & Public Relations -Maintained social media image by creating a consistent brand voice -Supported administrative team to coordinate events -Brainstormed and researched campaign strategies and tactics -Tabled at events to increase program awareness -Documented events through pictures and film for social media

Campus Recreation

Megan
Major: Advertising & Public Relations I created content for the social media content calendar for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I also put together an Intramural Sports video about "GV Games," and I worked tabling events and Rec N' Roll (golf cart trivia).

GVSU Club Sports

Derrick
Major: Sport Management Weekly tasks consisted of email correspondence with clubs, meetings & professional development, article writing, and website management. Some of the larger projects completed throughout the internship were hosting the NIRSA Regional Soccer Tournament, NCDA Dodgeball Nationals, and Club Sports Olympics.

Elections Intern

William
Major: Political Science I helped prepare for and run elections happening within Ottawa County. This included sending local clerks supplies, registering voters, creating plans and FAQs for the upcoming elections, and helping my boss, the Elections Coordinator manage election days.

U.S. Figure Skating Internship

Jake
Major: Sport Management My responsibilities included everything from hosting VIP and memorial fund events at the 2019 US Figure Skating Championships, to working in the Figure Skating Museum archives. I was even tasked with transporting and getting repair quotes for an Olympic gold medal!

Gazelle Sports Young Athletes Intern

Zach
Major: Sport Management I was the Gazelle Sports Young Athlete Intern. I did a lot in this role. I was in contact with a great deal of high school coaches in west Michigan. I setting team nights with these coaches. During the team nights, when all the athletes are at gazelle, fit the athletes for shoes, spikes, and other running essentials. I had a chance to get some real hands on time with these athletes and hope to ignite a fire for the sport of track and field for so many young athletes. I also represented Gazelle Sports at many track meets where I tried to ignite the fire for young athletes and hopefully have a chance to motivate the kids. I also did all I could to make our young athlete program better.

Legal Assistance Center Volunteer

Lindsey
Major: Political Science At the LAC, I was tasked with guiding people through legal processes by providing the proper paperwork needed for their case, explaining what was being asked of them on the paperwork, and describing how the court process works.