Trans-Matic Engineering Co-op
Cade
Experience Information
Employer: Trans-Matic
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Trans-Matic is a deep-draw metal stamping company that contracts work from various and diverse industries. It currently has three production facilities located in Holland MI, Mesa AZ, Monterey Mexico, and Suzhou China. There are around 200 employees at the Holland facility.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
This first co-op semester was a learning experience from the ground up. Much of the first few weeks was dedicated to learning software and company standards. The rest of the semester consisted mostly of updating tooling prints of growing complexity, with a few more design-oriented projects. I also had the opportunity to do a study on the production floor.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I have far better CAD skills now than when I started this co-op semester. I also gained an understanding of presses and tooling standards. In addition, I learned valuable skills like communication, decision making in a design context, and relationship-building in the workplace.
Favorite Part of the Experience
The thing I think is probably the most unique about the co-op experience at Trans-Matic is the atmosphere. Good-natured joking is the modus operandi in the engineering department, and all the engineers are helpful and enjoyable to be around. I sincerely enjoyed coming to work, a feeling which (in my experience) depends much more on your coworkers than the job itself.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
My co-op here has helped me see some of the different sides of mechanical engineering, which is extremely useful as I narrow down which particular direction I want to take my career. It has also boosted my motivation for school, since I now have a context in which to place the things I learn. All in all, this co-op has increased my desire to succeed in engineering.