First Co-op Rotation at Rose Medical
Jenna
Experience Information
Employer: Rose Medical
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Rose Medical is a medical device manufacturing company located in Grand Rapids, MI. Rose Medical is a fairly small company with about 85 employees but is always looking to add new members to the team and is currently in the process of expanding its facility. Rose Medical specializes in catheter tip forming, device assembly, wire-reinforced cannula, dip molding, packaging, and much more. Rose Medical values stewardship, integrity, innovation, and is constantly working on developing the best medical devices in the industry.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
My tasks at Rose Medical were split into two categories: process development and protocol writing. My main assignments relating to process development were to design 3D fixtures to aid in the manufacturing processes, run DOEs to determine which settings the product should be made in, and evaluate how successful a product is when certain conditions change. For protocol writing, I wrote numerous installation qualifications, operational qualifications, process qualifications, memos, and customer-requested validations. My task was to write the protocol, take the necessary data, and write a report for the customer. On top of product development and protocol writing, I was heavily exposed to the workings of a cleanroom environment, I was able to sit in on customer meetings and calls, and I learned about new technology and equipment.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Throughout my first co-op experience, I continued to develop and form new professional and technical skills. I gained tremendous knowledge on what the documentation process and requirements of the medical field are. I was able to learn and gain hands-on experience with manufacturing processes such as UV bonding, tipping, laser printing, molding, pad printing, and CNC hole punching. I was able to improve upon my technical writing and SolidWorks skills. I also gained knowledge about how to communicate and work with customers.
Favorite Part of the Experience
I truly enjoyed learning about the medical device manufacturing world, developing new problem-solving skills, shadowing other engineers, and obtaining hands-on work experience. However, my favorite part of Rose Medical was working with their amazing staff. The engineers, clean room employees, maintenance staff, technicians, machinists, office staff, and management team really made my first co-op experience wonderful. At Rose Medical, each employeeýs hard work and dedication are valued. I always felt appreciated and felt like my job was making a difference. Rose Medical is a great place to work.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
My experience at Rose Medical has greatly influenced my career goal of becoming a Biomedical Engineer. My education at Grand Valley has not given me the opportunity to think, design, and innovate with a medical mindset. Rose Medical allowed me to think about how my design will directly impact someoneýs life, how the material used will work with the human body, and how effective the device is for improving a medical procedure.
Internship Format
In Person