Gill Industries
Jack
Experience Information
Employer: Gill Industries
Job Title: Engineering Co-op
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Gill Industries is a global supplier of automotive and office furniture components and assemblies. Gill utilizes stamping, welding, and assembly processes to provide precision-engineered products to their customers. Grand Rapids serves as the home for the corporate headquarters, along with three manufacturing facilities. Other facilities are located in Kentucky, Georgia, Mexico, and Ireland.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Over the course of the semester, I spent time assisting the Manufacturing Engineering, Product Engineering, and Estimating departments. Most of the work consisted of critical tasks that other employees did not have time to do themselves. I spent the majority of the semester conducting a dimensional study on a new program and participating in brainstorming meetings to develop plans to solve any problems. I was able to develop and display my design skills as well by designing and 3D printing smaller scale projects such as display fixtures and remote cradles for our test lab. the co-op involved updating and reviewing spreadsheets as well, which exposed me to the organization and communication of data. Most of the assignments were performed individually, but I was able to collaborate with other co-ops, occasionally.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Through spending time in the Estimating department, I have learned more about the general process of approving a new program, and the interaction between departments to launch the program. Through my experience in engineering, I developed knowledge about steel properties and forming operations, design methods in Creo Parametric, and 3D printing capabilities.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part about this experience was the sense of utility from creating a positive impact on my company. As this was my third rotation at Gill Industries, my coworkers gained trust in me to complete projects successfully and I felt that I have began the transition between a co-op and a regular employee.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has provided me with a sense of how the automotive industry operates, and what it is like to be an engineer. I have been able to gain experience in numerous departments, which has given me the opportunity to learn about my specific strengths and interests.