Co-op Summer at Herman Miller
Samantha
Experience Information
Employer: Herman Miller
Job Title: Options Engineering Team
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Herman Miller is a global furniture company located in West Michigan, with approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. Herman Miller primarily makes furniture for healthcare and office spaces, but is slowing entering the retail market as well.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
This summer I was apart of the options team, which is responsible for making custom modifications to any Herman Miller design. I had the opportunity to engineer real products and actively contribute to my team. Furthermore, I worked on an intern project team that explored the supply chain and identified bottlenecks in the system that are hindering us from increasing the capacity of certain product lines.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned a lot about the organizational structure, and how interconnected the different facets of the business are. Furthermore, I strengthened my skills with 3D modeling and assembly work, and learned how to modify and manipulate existing CAD files.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op experience were my team members. My team has been so supportive of my growth and learning this summer, and have been so willing to help when I need it. I truly felt accepted and appreciated by the team, and am excited to return for my second co-op rotation!
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has helped to solidify my understanding of my needs and wants in a workplace environment. Before this co-op, I wasn't sure what to expect from an "in-the-field" experience. Now, I can confidently say that engineering is a great fit for me and I will be satisfied by this work long term.