BISSELL co-op 2nd Term
Tony
Experience Information
Employer: BISSELL Homecare
Job Title: Co-op Student, Product Attributes
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
BISSELL is one of the world's largest floorcare companies. The headquarters in Grand Rapids employs around 400 people in management, marketing, engineering, and customer service.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I was given two large projects to work on this term, and was given more control of the projects than I was in my first term. The two projects involved a lot of statics knowledge, along with CAD design, and a little bit of dynamics/fluids understanding.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
My understanding of modeling techniques improved, I got better at CAD. Aside from that, I obviously gained a lot of industry-specific knowledge about vacuum cleaner operation and testing.
Favorite Part of the Experience
The people on my team are fantastic - very smart and very helpful. The organization as a whole has a similar vibe. Also, the company is big enough that it has the infrastructure in place to prototype efficiently (top of the line 3d printers, rapid prototyping machine, cnc mills, etc.), but small enough that you are given a nice range of diversified tasks.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
It's tough to say, because this is the first technical position I've held. I don't have other companies to compare this one too. As far as GV engineering co-ops go, though, this one gives good hours, reasonable pay, it's a great location, and the engineers here are fantastic. Very positive experience overall.