The Gund Company

Engineering Co-Op

July - August 2023 • St. Louis, MO

What I liked

I liked that I was able to have everyday tasks that I would do to help but was also able to assist them in some of their bigger engineering projects. My biggest project that I assisted with was an aerial boom project with Boeing. It was really cool to get to have a meaningful role with that. I also helped with panel saw optimization in our plant where I was able to do time studies to get to the root problems of issues we were having. I really liked getting to work with the process engineers and doing hands-on work. I also liked being included in meetings as events as it helped me get to know people while also seeing how those types of things are run. The culture of the company was just awesome as well. Everyone was so helpful and kind. I never had the issue of fearing to reach out to somebody. I could always get help if I needed it.

What I wish was different

I think one thing I wish would have been different was that I was meeting with my supervisor on a weekly basis. Sometimes I would finish the work they had given me or couldn't move forward with a project because I was waiting to hear back from someone, so it would have been nice to have a weekly meeting to know what I could work on that week. Also, to go over what I was doing well, what I could improve on, and what I was learning. I also wish I could have been able to work with different types of people and see what they do in their roles. That way I could have better understood who they were and what their work included.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would share is that it is totally ok to ask for help. As an intern you are not supposed to know everything. You are there to learn from the other engineers and employees, so not only is it ok but you should ask tons of questions and be curious about things. I came into the plant not knowing a lot of terms and by the end of it knew so many different tools, LEAN definitions and ideas, and manufacturing terms. The people there want to help you so don't be afraid to ask!

Be the first to mark this as helpful