Mission Design and Automation Co-op Experience
Marcus
Experience Information
Employer: Mission Design and Automation
Job Title: Control Engineer Co-op
Major: Electrical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Mission Design and & Automation is an automation company based out of Holland MI, serving a wide range of industries with process automation. Mission is still a relatively young company, as it just celebrated its 20th year in the industry this year. Mission began as a smaller operation, but has grown rapidly in the last few years, now employing over 150+ employees, with those employees being controls engineers, mechanical enginners, machine builders, and electricians just to name a few.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked on two different projects throughout my Co-op experience that provided me with very different experiences. The first project I worked on I was able to be the sole controls engineer on the job and was able to see the project through from start to finish. This meant I was able to get the time in preliminary software's such as AutoCAD electrical working on the prints, to working on the PLC and debugging on the floor, to seeing the customer come in and be very pleased with their runoff. The second project I worked on was a much larger project where I had the pleasure to work alongside a handful of other controls engineers also on the same job. This variation in job size throughout the rotation was something I really enjoyed and am extremely glad I was able to receive.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I was able to pick up on many different skills through this Co-op rotation, however the two I am most satisfied by are my work in FANUC robotics, and PLC design and debugging. For a large part of the rotation, I was working with a FANUC teach pendant in my hand and teaching robots' programs. FANUC robots are one of the most relevant and important things to understand within the automation world of today, and for the foreseeable future. Through working with the robots every step of the way, from commissioning them on the shop floor, to seeing them run the programs written by me to run parts for the customers was a fascinating experience. Additionally, I gained a massive amount of experience in working with PLCs throughout the rotation. The combination of robots and PLCs together is essentially the heart of any automation cell, which is one of the reasons I am so thankful for the experience I was able to achieve.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part about the Co-op at Mission Design and Automation is simply the people. Every coworker I shared a conversation with was extremely nice and helpful and would have no problem going out of their way to lend a hand. If at any point I was struggling on a job, someone was more than willing to share their expertise. The controls enginners team as a whole at mission has to be one of the best in the area, I am yet to encounter a smarter and more driven group of individuals anywhere in the industry.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has shaped my goals for the future as I was able to see firsthand how career long controls enginners as well as every other job title involved in the automation process love what they do. The work done in this industry is extremely fascinating, and the game is always changing. Every job is drastically different in its own way, and the day to work is more than enough to keep everyone on the shop floor on their toes. One thing I've always wanted to avoid in life is a job that feels 9-5 and repetitive, and I know I have more than done than in choosing the field of controls engineering.
Internship Format
In Person