Students Complete Cooperative Education Experiences

Students Gain Real-World Experience in the Workplace

Approximately 500 College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering students complete cooperative education experiences, also known as co-ops, every year. These co-ops allow students to apply what they've learned in the classroom to the workplace and begin building their professional network.

BRITTANY MILLER

Major: Aviation Management

Summer 2019 Co-Op: Intern at FlightSafety International

Co-Op Location: Columbus, Ohio

High School/Hometown: Heath, Ohio

How did you find your Co-Op?

I found my co-op through FlightSafety's website. It was late into May and I still hadn't found a summer job and then magically came across their website and saw the position posted.

What is a typical day like in your Co-Op?

Every day is different because I have different tasks to complete. I have a variety of roles at FlightSafety. I mainly work with the Human Resources Administrator - creating tracking logs, scheduling interviews and orientations, and auditing new hire paperwork. I have also spent time working with the Director of Purchasing on proofing company contracts, the Director of Training creating binders for upcoming training cycles, and the Director of Programs by collecting errata found in training courseware. 

What has been your favorite part of your Co-Op?

My favorite part of my Co-Op has been the networking aspect. Employees at FlightSafety have such amazing, goal-seeking backgrounds and it is so awesome to learn about someone and the aviation path they've taken. Also, FlightSafety works closely with NetJets, so I am constantly meeting new NetJets employees and pilots, which is great exposure for my future career.

How does your Co-Op relate to what you’ve learned in class?

My Co-Op has related to what I've learned in class by giving me real life scenarios. For example, I never thought my MIS 2000 class would be so beneficial until I started using excel everyday at my Co-Op. 

How will your Co-Op help you in the future?

My Co-Op is already helping me! I've made so many connections and learned so much about the Aviation Industry. This Co-Op has built my foundation for a successful future.

JOB MUELLER

Major: Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology

Co-Op Employer: DTE Energy (Enrico Fermi 2)

Co-Op Job Title: Design- Electrical Engineering Intern

Co-Op Location: Newport, MI

Your High School/Hometown: Ida High School/ Monroe, MI

How did you find your Co-Op?

I found my Co-Op through friends that I went to Monroe County Community College with.  

What is a typical day like in your Co-Op?

A typical day at my Co-Op consists of working on procedures and specifications to make sure that they are up to date. I also work on solving problems that are going on in the plant, using walk-downs and then working with other engineering groups to come up with a solution to the problem.

What has been your favorite part of your Co-Op?

My favorite part of the Co-Op is going into the nuclear power plant and seeing how everything works. I have been on a couple different tours with engineers who have been there for a long time and they help form my understanding on how the plant at Fermi works. 

How does your Co-Op relate to what you’ve learned in class?

My Co-Op related to a lot of subjects in the curriculum of classes. One of the classes that helped a lot was the motor generator class. Learning about generators helped me see how power is produced. The system, at Fermi is a BWR (Boiling Water Reactor), so boiling water and steam are used to turn a turbine, which in turn causes the generator to produce power.

How will your Co-Op help you in the future?

My Co-Op allowed me to gain experience in the engineering field so that I am prepared to begin a career when I graduate. But more importantly my Co-Op allowed me to exposure to supervisors in the plant. As a result, I have had several different supervisors ask me about full time employment here at Fermi. I am hoping that in the future I can be an Engineer at Fermi to learn more about the plant every day.

TABATHA BIERIE

Major: Visual Communication Technology

Co-Op Employer: SFC Graphics 

Co-Op Job Title: Print Technician 

Co-Op Location: Toledo, Ohio 

Your High School/Hometown: Liberty center high school, Liberty Center, Ohio

How did you find your Co-Op?

I found my Co-Op through handshake. Our college uses this to help students find co-ops that fit their needs and wants in a job. Handshake can be confusing to use at first, but once you understand it, it is a great tool to use. 

What is a typical day like in your Co-Op?

A typical day is difficult to explain, due to the fact my jobs that I print vary depending on need. I start my day by doing daily maintenance, such as, for the hdi-1 large format printer an ink purge and a manual vacuum of the print heads. Laying down a thin paper called vaccu bond, and the printing a nozzle check. A typical day would consist of running a job we call Timberlake or American Wood mark, on our hdi-1, this job is ran every Friday and consist of 72 to 100 plus different boards used. I have done small orders such as an order for 72 boards, but I have also done orders as large as 600 or more boards. To set up for this you have to lay vaccu bond down on the second bed, then printing the layout that has been made for it. Then I would rip over the files and print 12 boards at a time. I then also set up my pallet for the boards to ship out from our building. 

What has been your favorite part of your Co-Op?

Meeting some great co-workers. One of them was a BGSU VCT major student. Her name is Racheal Hiser, she taught me everything I know. 

How does your Co-Op relate to what you’ve learned in class?

Learning offsets can be confusing, so to use it and learn it is very different. This co-op has helped me understand off set and large format printing better. 

How will your Co-Op help you in the future?

It will help me understand pre-production, such as research for projects, or how art is impacted when it is blown up or printed. It also has taught me what I will need to look for when I get a print or send out for one.