BISSELL: Engineering Co-op #1
Carlos
Experience Information
Employer: BISSELL Homecare Inc.
Job Title: Engineering Co-op
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Since 1876, BISSELL has been a family-owned company who specializes in producing quality cleaning products such as vacuums, deep cleaners, portable cleaners, canisters, and an extensive array of formulas/solutions to accompany their products.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
At the start of my experience here, I was tasked with running a variety of tests on a multitude of test equipment. Following this, a larger yet manageable design project was handed over to me and took quite some time to complete. General research and documentation on particular issues regarding vacuums was also done throughout my period here at BISSELL.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I have most definitely gained a wide range of experience in both the technical and non-technical sides of the engineering world. I have learned to use a new CAD program, my technical problem-solving skills have sharpened, and through much lab time I am much more confident in my laboratory skills now as well. Along with this, communicating with others outside of the engineering department has been one of the most important skills I have gained as well.
Favorite Part of the Experience
By far the most exciting, rewarding, involved, and applicable to my interests was the design project. This required me to use knowledge from the classroom to lay the foundation to build upon and then, with a lot of help from a variety of people, see the project through to the fabrication and testing stages. This really took me through the design process from paper to reality and I really enjoyed this aspect of my experience here.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I continue to aspire to be as bright-minded as many of the professionals here, both in and outside the engineering department, and also hope to one day work for a company like BISSELL that provides a great work environment coupled with an innovative atmosphere.