GMCH 1st Semester Co-op
Alex
Experience Information
Employer: General Motors Component Holdings
Job Title: Engineering Co-op Student
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
This is a large business that produces thousands if not hundreds of thousands of parts per day. The parts that are produced here are valve train components. If you have no idea what they are, don't worry everyone is more than glad to explain what things are. The engineering department is broken up between the advanced and current teams. The advanced team works on designing and testing new parts and helps with product launches as well. The current team works on improving processes and fixing problems out on the floor. They also are involved in product launches.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
The first two weeks I was just getting familiar with the plant and processes. The manufacturing floor is split up into north and south, so I spent time with both teams. During this time I did some part gauging, tried learning how to run all the machines, and did a bit of "grunt" work. The next few weeks I spent working with the advanced team. During this time I was assigned to an engineer and it was to him that I reported. My engineer have me a project where I was to develop some new parts for use in engine installation. Here develop means design, get parts built, and test parts according to a test procedure that I wrote. As of writing there is still a little work to be done on this project. I also did some benchmarking against competitors' parts and am planning on doing some tension testing to help one of the engineers refine the FEA simulation that he designed. Now I am working with the current manufacturing team. My duties include helping with machine qualifications, R&R's, and learning what goes into getting a new product line ready for production. Overall there will be a slow day here and there where you end up waiting on someone but usually there's quite a bit that needs doing. If you ever need something to do, ask.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Since I took this position I learned a huge amount about powdered metal properties, because of my time with the advanced team. I also learned how to balance multiple projects so that I almost always had something to do. Ended up gaining some people skills along the way, which is always helpful.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my internship was working with the advanced team, because I got to take an idea from cradle to prototype build. Also I liked the people. I tend not to be a people person, but found that if I was friendly to them they were friendly in return. Get to know the people you work with, it makes bad days better.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Right now, if I was offered a job here upon graduation I would take it. I still have my heart set on doing design work though, this experience just strengthened that resolve. Also because of this experience I am more open to doing process improvement and current manufacturing type of work.