Search - Experience Matters - Grand Valley State University

Co-op Rotation Semester 1

Matthew
Major: Mechanical Engineering Some of the tasks I completed during my first co-op rotation were updating various designs of wash arches and components, updating prints by taking feedback from the production and service teams about pain points that need to be addressed. A larger project I took on was to update and redesign our in house built pressure washer that we provide should our customers need it.

Viant Medical Co-op Rotation 1

James
Major: Biomedical Engineering During my time on the line, I completed a variety of tasks and projects that ranged from technical documentation to hands-on fixture development. I improved existing work instructions for several stations to enhance clarity and usability for operators, and I created new documentation to support the integration of equipment into the line. These efforts ensured that both legacy and new processes were clearly communicated and easy to follow. I also authored engineering build reports to verify that components from new suppliers met customer specifications and functioned properly within the final product. On the hands-on side, I designed and 3D-printed a fixture to hold five work-in-progress pieces, improving workflow and organization at the station. Additionally, I evaluated other fixtures and prepared them for production, ensuring they were ready for deployment and met operational standards. These projects reflect a balance of technical writing, process improvement, and practical engineering support.

Co-Op at Met-L-Flo

Ryan
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my first semester of co-op at Met-L-Flo, I spent a significant amount of time on the production floor, gaining an understanding of the processes the company uses to manufacture parts. During my time on the production floor, I learned everything to do with casting. This included making the molds, cutting open the molds, casting the parts, finishing the cast parts, and finally shipping the parts out. In addition to working on the production floor, I also did some design work for both outside the company and internally. This was quite a challenge as the designs were left almost completely up to me with only a small amount of guidance. I think this challenge was good.

Economic Recovery Specialist

Jada
Major: Political Science I used computer programs like Karpel, and TLO Search, receive and receipt diversion fee and merchant fee payments, prepare default judgments, made trial binders, watched bodycam footage and made notes, reviewed evidence and note if there is anything important that someone may have missed.

Controls Engineer Intern

Andres
Major: Electrical Engineering During my rotation, I worked on different projects, for example, MES, which is the system for the downtimes of all the machines across the production floor, making new windows in ignition software, and helping reduce the number of software used across the plant to only use Ignition.

EGR 290 at Vibracoustic

Jacob
Major: Mechanical Engineering As an Application Engineering Co-Op at Vibracoustic I was exposed to a large range of tasks including the development, creation, and testing of parts, developing relationships and collaborating with customers, and working closely with all support functions to meet customer demands.

Design Co-op

Kaden
Major: Mechanical Engineering As a design co-op, the main focuses were learning new design software and 3D scanning parts as well as 3D printing many parts. The two-design softwares are CATIA and Siemens NX, as a co-op, one will learn one or the other and also fulfill any 3D scanning requests or 3D printing requests from other engineers.

The First Steps of my Career: Finding Passions and Opportunities

Jorge
Major: Electrical Engineering As I was new to joining the company, got had task to help ease me into the position. For instance, one of my team members was generous to lend us a copy of a drawing he was working on in Maestro, which I was tasked to wire and place control components on the drawing. Furthermore, my team showed me a calculator on excel that I was tasked create wire systems that didn't exceed specific voltage levels on the excel sheet.

Computer Engineering Co-Op 1

Emre
Major: Computer Engineering I've completed 4 model validation files for a certain project which was part of the DoD (can't go too deep into it,CUI data), and the main purpose of those projects were to make sure that the simulated hardware that were created to test the actual hardware we had on hand were working correctly so that we could automate the testing with the company's ATC.

Viant Medical: First Co-op Rotation

Alex
Major: Mechanical Engineering During my time as a co-op student at Viant Medical, I have helped with many different projects and tasks. I was on the new product launch so I was also able to train operators for product launch. I helped build devices, work on documentation, and build necessary fixtures needed for my line.

1st Co-op Rotation at MillerKnoll

Brooklyn
Major: Interdisciplinary Engineering I maintained a daily Excel document to track machine downtime across shifts. I designed and 3D printed safety covers for machines. I prototyped and tested designs to help with quality issues. I performed testing to identify root cause.

DornerWorks Co-op 1

Emalee
Major: Biomedical Engineering I have been doing a lot of real project work at DornerWorks. Specifically, I have spent my time writing code in order to send messages to a prosthetic hand. I have had the opportunity to work along other engineers as well as independently.

Co-op Rotation 1

Cooper
Major: Mechanical Engineering I was responsible for multiple diagram deliverables, including HVAC zoning maps and piping and instrumentation diagrams for what I would consider to be large commercial facilities. For both of these projects I also visited the site to help assess the systems. I also assisted in designing the duct layout for a smaller building, setting up existing HVAC equipment in software, and updating company software templates in order to improve workflow.

Spring/Summer 2025 Coop at AirLife

Kelsey
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering I was able to collaborate closely with the onsite and remote engineers and lab technicians to help with the effort of consolidation of products acquired from other companies, improved organization of samples used for audits and validation testing, implement an efficient intake system for the FormLab 3D printers, and further aid in testing a vast number of products that are currently being used in hospital settings. One of the biggest advantages of this experience was that I was able to get hands on learning, and being able to take on the responsibilities of an engineer.

AirLife Engineering Co-op Rotation #1 Experience - EGR 290

Isabelle
Major: Mechanical Engineering As an engineering co-op, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks and projects to support product improvement, testing, and validation. I gained experience testing products in the engineering lab, writing my own study to explore a product, and working with the test lab to design a new testing fixture. As part of the rotation, I had the opportunity to learn about other areas of the business and observe how different departments, such as marketing, regulatory affairs, engineering, and sales, work together to run a successful medical device business. When testing in the lab, I was tasked with setting up tests, collecting data, reading testing protocols, and following ISO and other medical standards. I used equipment such as the Instron for some tests, but the majority of tests were performed with pressurized air and were specific to testing airway medical devices. When writing my engineering study, I gained product knowledge, developed test methods, performed testing, solved issues that arose during testing, and analyzed data. I also got to work with the test lab engineers and lab technicians to design a test fixture for leak testing that improved efficiency and precision. During my co-op, I performed testing for different medical devices and worked closely with other engineers to improve products to uphold AirLifeýs high quality standards and ensure our products function above and beyond expectations for customers.

Summer 2025 Co-op

Kolton
Major: Mechanical Engineering I worked as a controls intern and was tasked with writing and debugging code. I was also tasked with setting up device IP addresses and teaching robot maneuvers.

Co-Op Rotation 1 - Max Kolenda

Max
Major: Mechanical Engineering I wore many hats at Air Master Systems during my first rotation, mostly within the space of casework, which is where cabinets fall under. I worked on many ECNs (engineering change notices) which are updates and fixes to existing products. These allowed me to interact with many employees, including on the floor, in order to get the best feedback possible. I also worked on prototyping with my supervisor, which included assembly of a locker system and load testing and production of shelving for a book cart system. This load testing is pictured below. On top of this, there was emphasis on an 8D improvement group, which invested time into implementing a new naming scheme and catalogue pages for the existing company shelving systems.

First co-op rotation at Miller Knoll as an EE

Doug
Major: Electrical Engineering Trouble shooting PLC alarms to reduce consistency, implementing and and modifying parts of machines to facilitate work flow, and using NFCs/RFIDs to organize PLC and other electrical components.

Creative Mechanical Design

David
Major: Mechanical Engineering Designed an entire gameboard for intern project robot enclosure that holds parts in reliably the same place for the robot to pick, senses when parts are present, and actuates a rotating door based on programmed criteria. Detailed and ordered all parts necessary, redesigned as needed, supported controls engineers where necessary. Designed end of arm tooling for collaborative robot that grabs hold of cups and fills them with beer of various kinds.

Fostering Sobriety in Grand Rapids

Emily
Major: Psychology As a Resident Support Specialist (RSS), I play a consistent and active role in our clients' treatment plans. Sanford's RSS staff are responsible for driving clients to off-site excursions and recovery meetings to foster social inclusion and build community. From detox to discharge, the RSS must provide a judgment-free environment, active listening, and emotional co-regulation skills. RSS staff are the liaisons between clients and other facility staff. We are the first people the clients greet in the morning and the last people they wish a good night. RSS are also to hold clients accountable by assigning simple chores, providing occasional behavioral redirection and intervention, and administering routine drug screenings.

Lanthorn Photography

Kane
Major: Film & Video I took photos of the Medical buildings in downtown Grand Rapids, DEI speech, Woman's Basketball game against Ferris State, Delivering while Black speech, GVPD and their squad vehicles, and a Dungeons & Dragons Club meeting.

Winter CO-OP with Savant Automation

Jason
Major: Computer Engineering I worked on automating the placement of magnets used by our automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) for navigation. The goal was to ensure accurate magnet positioning while minimizing redundancy.

Creative Lead

Isabella
Major: Advertising & Public Relations A brief description of the tasks I completed for the brand included brand design, logo design/creation, social media post design/creation, as well as utilizing planning tools such as Buffer, and communication tools such as Discord. I also was a part of various virtual meetings where I presented color schemes and mock feeds to my team members.

Ticket Sales/Operations Internship

Alex
Major: Sport Management As an Inside Sales Representative for the Grand Rapids Gold, I made a significant impact on the teamýs business operations. My role centered around driving ticket sales, managing ticket operations, engaging with customers, and contributing to revenue generation. What did I sell? I successfully sold a diverse range of ticket packages, including: - Season Tickets - Single Game Tickets (Grandstand & Court-side) - Premium seating options - Hospitality areas - Birthday packages - Fan Engagement Packages (FEP) such as the Court of Dreams, High Five Tunnel, and Anthem Buddies Accolades - G-League Midseason Rookie Sales Leaderboard: - Achieved $96,554 in total ticket revenue, earning 5th place among Rookie sellers across the G-League. - Generated an impressive $52,565 in Group Revenue, securing 3rd place among Rookie sellers. - Sold a remarkable 1,875 Group Tickets, ranking 3rd among Rookie sellers league-wide.

Iowa Heartlanders Internship

Karissa
Major: Sport Management As a member of the promo team, I was responsible for running on-ice games, finding fans to compete in these games, as well as set up and take down of signage, games used on the concourse and items used in the promos. I have also been the in-game host when needed throughout the season, and been able to co-direct a hockey game with my boss.