Experience Matters - Grand Valley State University

Magna Mirros Co-Op

Ammar
Major: Mechanical Engineering During the Co-Op at Magna Mirrors Engineering Center, I engaged in a variety of tasks and projects that spanned testing, machining, design, and collaboration. I conducted several tests to ensure product reliability and usability, including temperature, vibration, dust, and impact tests. I gained hands-on experience with machining and assembling components, working with CNC technology, and creating prototypes. My design work included developing models and proposals for custom fixtures and enclosures. Additionally, I finalized technical reports, created documentation to assist future interns, and collaborated with different departments to design and test parts for various projects.

EGR 290

Logan
Major: Electrical Engineering As a co-op of the power systems group on Corteva's Midland site, I was able to learn the engineering behind powering a extremly large chemical site. The largest project I was taked with was updating meter and relay devices for 20 different feeder circuits in two of our switching stations. This invovled updating/creating 120 different electrical drawings, specifically three-line, DC diagram, and connection diagram. In addition, I used a simulation software called ETAP to simulate faults on different parts of each circuit. This allowed us to theorectical see what would happen if a fault occured on one the ciruits, and how to relay would protect the equipment potentially impacted by the fault. I was also able to order parts for this porject, create procedures to turn specific sections of the bus off. I was also, fortunate enough to manage the implementation of one of the circuits I worked on. Unfortunately, in a chemical plant my group isn't allowed to just go turning off chemical processes when we want. It could be months to years before the other circuits I worked on could be implemented. I had other smaller projects that involved other smaller updates to electrical drawings, I was also able to experience some work with PLCs.

Red Team Intern

Brendon
Major: Computer Science My supervisor and myself executed three different security engagements over the internship experience. I was able to work on and test an application that is going to be used by the Detroit Tigers. Steven and I's job was to perform security testing on the application to ensure the application is secure and ready for future use.

Phase 1 is number One

john
Major: Electrical Engineering During the first few weeks, I focused heavily on soldering and modifying circuits for testing purposes. This included learning surface mount soldering for smaller components, primarily 0402 and sometimes 0603. In the subsequent weeks, I participated in building an electromagnetic emissions chamber from scratch. Following that project, I worked on creating protoboards, laying out various components to develop prototypes for multiple projects. One of my tasks included building a test box to verify that our PCBs were outputting the correct voltages under different configurations, as shown in the picture below. My most recent project involves reprogramming and testing 200 devices to troubleshoot an issue a customer has been experiencing. These devices are set to different configurations and tested under various scenarios to replicate and resolve the field issue.

Valpo Parks Summer Internship

Robert (Bo)
Major: Sport Management I spent lots of time being involved in special events and golf operations. Special events is responsible for hosting/carrying out the 35+ parks sponsored events that range from day-trips to the Popcorn Festival, arguably Valpo's largest event. I have been specifically tasked with implementing the new golf attire suppliers, "Good Good," as well as offering a hand wherever needed among other departments. My day-to-day duties can consist of taking photos at youth tennis camps, to meeting with police officers about policies, as well as traffic control for our races/more populated events.

First rotation summer 2024 Co-op

Stefan
Major: Mechanical Engineering As a mechanical engineer in the inside mirrors division, I was tasked with finding solutions to problems or assignments given to me by other engineers. These assignments often consisted of designing/building parts that aid in different methods of testing mirrors, testing the functionality/durability of inside mirrors, and collaborating with team members on enhancing my skills and knowledge as an engineering student.

DornerWorks Embedded Engineering Co-op 1

Michael
Major: Computer Engineering I got to work on quite a variety of things. I mainly worked with the networking team creating a GUI application to help configure XML configs to set up multiple TSN devices. I ran through testing protocols for multiple hardware projects. I also got to build and show demo's for some of the TSN devices.

Whitecaps Promo Team

Zoey
Major: Sport Management As a member of the Promo Team, I was responsible for running on-field games, finding fans to play games with, and working with the mascots. We have a variety of tasks for each game that could be assigned and we would work together as a team to run the game.

Engineering Co-op Rotation 1 Experience

Cebrina
Major: Biomedical Engineering Rotation 1 of the co-op is focused on the testing process of parts. For this, we were tasked to do dimensionals of sample parts, Instron testing, hardness testing, torque testing, help put together PPAP packages that prove the part's quality, sort through parts for visual inspection, 3D print parts, create work instructions showing how to check parts with particular pieces of equipment, check drawings to keep track of changes, put together estimated drawings, and helped other engineers with any tasks that they needed help with, including picking up and dropping off parts from other manufacturing companies.

Autocam Medical First Engineering Co-op Summer 2024

Antonio
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering Part of the training Autocam gives every engineering co-op student during our first rotation is a hands-on learning experience on the floor to enhance our understanding of their manufacturing process. In my case this involved learning to operate lathe machines for turning operations. This implicated not only learning about the machines themselves (debugging, set up, tool change, offset adjustments, etc.) but the results of the quality of each part that is made and how small details carry throughout the entire job (most comprised of hundreds of parts).

Controls Engineering Co-Op at Adient

Zachary
Major: Electrical Engineering For this semester of my Co-Op, I had several projects. All of these projects were related to PLCs and HMIs. Every PLC and HMI that I worked with was Allen Bradley. One biggest projects that I worked on was updating all of the PLCs to their latest version. This helped the plant be more standardized and allowed IT to support fewer firmware versions. I also got to create screens on HMIs so that operators and maintenance could print test labels out of printers. This was important to help troubleshoot problems with printers. Finally, I also got to write my ladder logic in the PLCs. For this project, I wrote code to send messages to the HMI to display the status of the cell.

First Co-Op Rotation with Genesis Seating

Casey
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering In my role as a manufacturing co-op engineer, I spend a lot of time working on process improvement. I am often out on the plant floor talking with employees about how I can improve their jobs, which can be anywhere from increasing production volume to reducing discomfort due to manual labor. Basically, I design and implement solutions to make our situation better.

Director of Operations Intern

Gavin
Major: Sport Management As a football operations intern, my tasks include assisting with day-to-day office tasks and coordinating team events. Support player needs by distributing equipment, planning meals, and arranging transportation. Additionally, help plan and execute events like youth camps, recruitment events, and game-day operations. Managing football equipment and supplies, maintaining effective communication with coaches, players, and staff, and assisting with the analysis of game footage and performance data to support coaching strategies are also key responsibilities. Ensuring adherence to NCAA regulations and university policies is crucial, aiming to support the smooth operation of the football program and provide a comprehensive learning experience in sports management.

My Experience at Michigan Sports Academies

Gavin
Major: Sport Management Throughout my various roles, I undertook a range of tasks and projects that combined my skills in sport management and marketing. I gathered content for social media platforms to enhance engagement and visibility, ensuring the promotion of events and activities. I precisely prepared fields and courts for events and camps, guaranteeing they were in top condition for participants. I also stocked clothing and food for concessions, maintaining inventory to meet customer demands efficiently. Additionally, I consistently upheld the cleanliness of the facilities, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees. My efforts in these areas contributed to the smooth operation and success of numerous events and activities.

My Internship Experience at Corewell Health

Aditya
Major: Computer Science During my internship at Corewell Health, I have undertaken a variety of challenging and impactful projects that align with my role as a Revenue Cycle Intern, focusing on enhancing operational efficiencies and data management within the healthcare finance sector. 1. sFTP Management System Enhancement One of my major projects involved enhancing the sFTP management system to ensure secure and efficient data transfers across different platforms, including AutoMate, GoAnywhere, and MoveIT. My responsibilities included developing action plans for managing sFTP operations, which involves mapping file transfers, handling file abends, requesting new ftp job, and maintain job master files. This required rigorous data collection and auditing to ensure that all the jobs were accurately logged, and any issues were swiftly addressed. My role was pivotal in setting up verification processes to ensure data integrity across all systems, significantly reducing data discrepancies and improving the reliability of our financial reporting. 2. Advanced Analytics and Dashboard Creation In another significant project, I utilized Tableau to create scorecard dashboards that track vendor performance against predefined SLAs and Key Metrics. This involved designing interactive dashboards that allowed users to upload information and track metrics in real-time, providing our team with actionable insights to make data-driven decisions. The development of these dashboards required a deep understanding of data analytics, proficiency in Tableau, and medical terminologies. 3. SharePoint Site Development I also led the creation of the ýCorewell Health Revenue Rookiesý SharePoint site, a comprehensive resource hub designed to support current and future Revenue Cycle interns. This project involved managing the entire development process from conceptualization to launch, including content curation, layout design, and feature integration. The overall outcome was a group success. We were able to create a platform where all interns are posting up our experience, learnings, and any new thing we learned and this site would act as a medium for all the upcoming interns, fostering a supportive learning environment. 4. Professional Certificate Complementing my project work, I pursued and achieved several Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) certifications, including Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR), Certified Specialist Business Intelligence (CSBI), and Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP), HFMAýs flagship certification. These certifications have not only broadened my knowledge base but also directly contributed to my effectiveness in handling complex financial management tolls within the internship.

Legislative Aide

Immaculata
Major: Political Science In this memo, we'll delve into the nuances between the Cherry/Wilson package (Senate Bills 486-492) and the Mobile Home Industry package (House Bills 4886-4889), providing insights into their objectives, impacts, and key differences. The Cherry/Wilson package aims to address a range of issues, including housing affordability, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability. Senate Bills 486-492 offer targeted solutions such as tax incentives for green housing initiatives, funding for infrastructure upgrades, and measures to expand affordable housing options. However, concerns have been raised regarding the allocation of resources and the potential impact on existing homeownership programs. House Bills 4886-4889 focus on regulatory reforms and financial assistance for the mobile home industry, aiming to improve standards, affordability, and consumer protections. These bills propose measures such as licensing requirements for mobile home park operators, grants for infrastructure improvements, and mechanisms to address rent stabilization. While the bills have garnered support from industry stakeholders, questions remain about their long-term effectiveness and implementation challenges. The Cherry/Wilson package offers comprehensive solutions to broader housing issues, potentially benefiting a wider range of constituents. However, its impact may be diluted by competing priorities and funding constraints. In contrast, the Mobile Home Industry package targets specific challenges within the mobile home sector, offering tailored solutions but potentially overlooking broader housing needs. In summary, the Cherry/Wilson package adopts a holistic approach to address housing challenges, while the Mobile Home Industry package focuses on targeted reforms within a specific sector. The former emphasizes broader policy objectives, whereas the latter prioritizes industry-specific concerns. Understanding these differences is crucial for informed decision-making and effective legislative. As policymakers, it's imperative to weigh the merits and implications of both bill packages carefully. By considering the diverse needs of constituents and stakeholders, we can craft policies that promote equitable access to safe, affordable housing while fostering economic growth and sustainability. Another task that I completed was drafting tributes for different organizations within the district of Representative.

AmeriCorps Internship!

Victoria
Major: Criminal Justice As an AmeriCorps member, it was my job to build capacity and help the organization grow in some problem areas. I primarily work with the resettlement team, who assist refugees their first 90 days in the country, and the community engagement team. I communicate with donors and uphold partnerships with nonprofits to help acquire resources and items to assist our clients.

Winter 2024 Aspen

Josh
Major: Mechanical Engineering I was (am) responsible for various manufacturing machines and processes. I am responsible for 3D scanning, scan to CAD software, 3D scanning inspection/validation software, CNC programing software, CAD modeling software and 2D vision inspection systems.

Mission Design and Automation Co-op Experience

Marcus
Major: Electrical Engineering I worked on two different projects throughout my Co-op experience that provided me with very different experiences. The first project I worked on I was able to be the sole controls engineer on the job and was able to see the project through from start to finish. This meant I was able to get the time in preliminary software's such as AutoCAD electrical working on the prints, to working on the PLC and debugging on the floor, to seeing the customer come in and be very pleased with their runoff. The second project I worked on was a much larger project where I had the pleasure to work alongside a handful of other controls engineers also on the same job. This variation in job size throughout the rotation was something I really enjoyed and am extremely glad I was able to receive.

Second Co-op Rotation

Dante
Major: Mechanical Engineering Small-scale production while investing in the improvement and changes in the production process while helping in the applications and quoting areas as well.

SoundOff Signal Winter ý24 Co-op

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering Documentation, including project requirements documents, certification documents, and DFMEA. Continued to build experience with mechanical design and development validation testing. Worked with external suppliers and dealerships. Introduced to injection molded parts.

Working in L3Harris's CAS department

Izik
Major: Electrical Engineering I learned quite a bit about the flight recorders that L3Harris makes along with some of their other product lines. I was tasked with a good mix of production issues and then improvement projects that helped the production line and test engineering department as well. The main task was updating documentation for a test station and building it from the documentation I made.

Second Co-Op Rotation at JR Automation

Nicholas
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my second rotation at JR Automation, my primary activities included designing assemblies to be built for custom automation applications, creating drawing packages, and assisting with in house projects as well as post-production modifications.

Magna Co-op 1st roataion

Daniel
Major: Mechanical Engineering At Magna, I performed a variety of tasks, these tasks usually included: taking measurements for mirrors and mirror components, building mirror subassemblies, measuring components to ensure everything was within tolerance, and cleaning mirrors. Aside from these more common tasks, I have participated in various small projects like performing gauge R&Rs on various tools we have at the plant, I have also utilized a thermal chamber to see if the mirrors color and bleach at acceptable speeds at extreme temperatures like 50 C or -30 C. I have also operated an Instron machine to perform some tests, like what the pull-off force for the wires is when connected to the solder of mirrors, another test I did was finding what force it takes to have a mirror pop off its mount, and if that force is within its target area.

EGR 390 - 2nd Co-op Rotation - Mechanical Design Intern

Kaylor
Major: Mechanical Engineering As an intern with little experience in the industry, I mostly do existing drawings based on "as-built" prints whenever possible. However I also have done load calculations for buildings, HVAC piping design, domestic plumbing design, demolition design, and some sheet metal design as well. I have also looked through specifications and cut sheets to calculate which mechanical equipment would be the best performance, as well as efficiency calculations based on utility bills for certain buildings. Every week I find myself doing something new for different projects based on what work needs to be done and who needs help at that time.