Co-op Work Experience
Carter
Experience Information
Employer: Trans-Matic
Job Title: Engineering Intern
Major: Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Trans-Matic is a company located in Holland Michigan that specializes in deep draw metal stamping. They have facilities located in Suzhou China and Monterrey Mexico as well. The size of the company ranges from roughly 400-500 employees. Deep draw stamping is a metal forming process that transforms a flat sheet metal coil into a three-dimensional shape with significant depth. It involves drawing the metal sheet into a die using a punch.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During my third co-op rotation at Trans-Matic, I had the opportunity to independently design and plan a completely new job. In a previous rotation, I worked closely with my supervisor to develop a new job design and layout. This time, I was able to take on a lead role with significantly less supervision. My responsibilities included scheduling and leading project meetings, maintaining thorough documentation, and completing key milestones throughout the tool design process.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Through this experience, I gained a deeper understanding of end-to-end tool design and project planning. I developed stronger technical skills in designing tooling, devolving manufacturability constraints, and coordinating milestones from concept to completion. I also strengthened my project management abilities, including scheduling meetings, leading design discussions, and maintaining accurate documentation. Additionally, I gained confidence in making independent design decisions, managing timelines, and communicating progress to everyone involved in development.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this rotation was having the ability to lead a new job from start to finish. It gave me great hands-on experience and a better understanding of tool design.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This rotation influenced my career goals by exposing me to a new area of engineering. Working hands-on with tool design and development allowed me to see the full process, from initial concepts to finalized tooling. I enjoyed both the technical problem solving and the project ownership. This showed me that tool design is a field I would consider pursuing as a career path.
Internship Format
In Person