Bostik, Inc.

Research and Development Intern

May - August 2024 • Dublin, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed the two different aspects of the projects that I worked on through the summer. One part of my job focused on setting up a polymerization reactor with stripping capabilities for adhesive formulations, and consisted of mapping out layouts of piping and setting up chilling and heating units. The other project I work on was the testing of adhesives for a durable label application. The test looked to evaluate the adhesive and cohesive strength of the polymer, along with testing how the adhesive would hold up under elevated temperatures and other environmental factors. I was able to work on my own time, along with the ability to give feedback on where I thought areas could be improved based on the results of the testing and the reactor setup.

What I wish was different

I wish I had started on the adhesive testing earlier in the summer so that I could have adequate time to learn how to prepare and layout the adhesives film for myself, so that there was a constraint on how much I could do. There simply was not enough time to be taught how to do the processes along with becoming proficient enough to allow for the possibility. I also wish there had been less complications with equipment for the reactor as the chilling unit did not work once set up due to manufacturing problems, so the reactor was just short of being completed before the end of my term. Overall, I wish I had more time to advance the adhesive development as there were promising results with the most recent adhesive, and I wish I had a chance to finalize the setup of the reactor and see it get put to use.

Advice

Get started as fast as you can and learn as much as possible early on. The earlier you apply yourself, the more you will get out the experience and more responsibility will be able to be given to you as a result. Also, do not hesitate to reach out to others to learn more about different techniques or ask for help as everyone is understanding and want to help you learn as much as possible through your experience. Finally, definitely talk with those who are in positions you wish to be in down the line and ask what their journey was like to get there and take advise to use for yourself to reach where you want to go in the future. This not only shows that you have a plan to get somewhere with your degree, but it also builds connection that may help you in the future.

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