Engineering Co-op Semester 1
Kalee
Experience Information
Employer: Burke E. Porter Machinery
Job Title: Software Engineering Co-op
Major: Computer Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Burke Porter Machinery is a leader in creating car test machines. Their headquarters is in Grand Rapids, but they have offices in Europe, South America, and Asia. They also service their machines, which are used in plants around the world. They provide machines for many car manufacturers, including Ford, GM, and Chrysler.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked with the Roll Brake Machine software group. We write the software for the roll brake machines designed by Burke Porter Machinery to test the transmission and brakes in a car. I was able to debug and fix software problems on the machines while they were prepared to go to the plants and interact with customers from those plants when they came to learn about their new machines. I learned about the software for multiple car companies and multiple Roll Brake machines. I also wrote software of my own to fit into our current software.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I learned how to program software for a live and working machine. I was able to see how software could interact with real objects, not just virtual items on a computer screen. I also worked with Electrical Engineers to diagnose and solve problems. I figured out how to explain the software I had written to people who were not familiar with software or how to write it. My supervisor Dan also taught me how to drive a manual transmission car.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of my co-op experience was being able to write real software within a few weeks of coming to work at Burke Porter Machinery. One of the other guys on our software team mentioned that the development work I did was something they would do. The software I wrote was important to the group, not just a small assignment to keep me busy.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has given me a taste of actual Software Engineering and has confirmed for me that this is something I have the ability and desire to do for the rest of my life. I was unsure when I first started my Co-op if I was prepared to do the work I would be asked to do, but after my first development assignment I realized that I had the skills I needed to succeed in this semester, and would continue to develop the skills needed for later semesters and a long term career after college.