Co-op Round #1
Prisciliano
Experience Information
Employer: Swoboda Inc
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Swoboda Inc specializes in plastic injection molding. The company performs every task in-house. Swoboda has the ability to create the molds and needed parts in their tool room and fully automate a line to produce the finished product.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
Being the first co-op, I started with some smaller tasks but was quickly brought up to speed. I started with prototyping possible new products and getting familiar with the injection machines and their programs. Shortly after this task was complete, I started building components for an entirely new production line. The line consisted of welders, inspection cameras, and component assembly robots.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
For this first round of co-op, the most important lesson I learned was how different the atmosphere is for an engineer as opposed to a regular employee. The amount of responsibility you obtain is completely based on your own personal work ethic. You can be a man on the side-lines or get right up in the action in things. This will determine your reputation and level of respect awarded throughout the work-place.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op is the hands-on portions. Being a first-year intern, I don't have much designing experience but getting to put together and assemble the designs of others really helps build a strong foundation for design. Being hand-on gives insight on how to build improve older designs or come up with completely new ones that are more efficient.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
If anything, this co-op has gotten me more excited to finish my goal of becoming a mechanical engineer. The more I was able to apply myself, the more responsibility was awarded and I will carry this throughout the rest of my career as a student.