Amazing Hands-On Padnos Co-op
Jason
Experience Information
Employer: Padnos Iron & Metal
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Padnos Iron & Metal is a scrap material processing company. It is an amazing company to work for, and I feel very privileged to have been able to do my co-op through them. The people are very knowledgeable, helpful,and easy to get along with. Everyone makes it a wonderful environment to be a part of.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
This semester we have been installing a new non ferrous metal mining plant. I have been assigned design work, drawing/detailing, overseeing of fabrication, surveying, product sampling, and experiment design/implementation; among a variety of other tasks.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I gained great knowledge and increased skill in design work, drawing/detailing, overseeing of fabrication, surveying, product sampling, and experiment design/implementation. Along with these, I was included in many meetings and worked with other departments within to company, which has given me experience in the business as a whole and what it takes to make a successful company run.
Favorite Part of the Experience
It's hard to say what my favorite part of this co-op experience was because I enjoyed each day I went to work. Something I greatly enjoyed was the amount of responsibility I was given, and the clear impact the work I did this semester had on the work Padnos is doing. It was great to know that the work I was doing was important and I was expected to make an impact from day one. Along with this responsibility came great trust, as I was able to complete my tasks and learn as I desired most of the time. Though I was given a comfortable amount of space, my supervisor and co-workers were always there for help and advice and taught me a ton that will carry on into to future. I could not have asked for a better first co-op experience, and any student would be extremely lucky to learn and grow here as Padnos and its employees will make you a knowledgeable and well rounded engineer. I believe the uniqueness and quality of work of Padnos makes it a top notch company to work for.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
My time here has furthered my desire to work in design and fabrication. The projects and work I performed this semester has grown my interest in the fabrication process and the engineering behind it. It was very enjoyable to see the custom products I designed be built and implemented almost immediately. I look forward to my next co-op experience here so I can continue this type of work and hopefully be able to continue this type of work in my future.