- Major: Mechanical Engineering
- Company: Draexlmaier
- Graduation Year: 2023
- E-mail: jhartwig@vols.utk.edu
Profile
So far I have completed a co-op and an internship. The co-op was with Draexlmaier, located in Duncan, SC. The plant produced the door panels and dashboard for the BMW X5, X6, and X7. I worked two rotations in the Quality Engineering department. Our main goal was to evaluate the capability of our process to ensure zero defects. This created a fast-paced work environment, since every defect had to be investigated to locate the cause and find a fix fast. By the second rotation, I was the Quality Engineer responsible for two of the production lines, constantly monitoring part tolerances and evaluating/troubleshooting any line issues. My internship was at Vacuum Technology Inc. (VTI) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. They make leak detector stations, as well as calibrated leaks. My main tasks were in the Calibration Lab, finding ways to improve the building and testing process. I also had the opportunity many ways to fabricate in the company's machine shop.
I chose a co-op because it is the best way to experience what an engineer does on a daily basis. An internship just does not give you enough time to settle into your role with a company, since they all have different operations and systems. Doing a co-op will be exponentially more beneficial for your engineering career.
During my first rotation at Draexlmaier, I was handed a project that had become stagnate. The project's goal was to reduce the sampling of dashboards. As you know, the airbag is located inside the dashboard. During our manufacturing process, Draexlmaier had to ensure that the airbag would deploy at the same rate through the substrate and skin, since too little or too much resistance could cause the airbag to malfunction and inhibit its ability during a crash. Every day, 16 dashboards at $200 each were being cut apart for testing. I evaluated every manufacturing combination, and I was able to prove that sampling and testing could be reduced from 16 a day to 16 a week, saving the company $800,000 a year.
The biggest skill I have developed during work experience is my work ethic. Seeing how much I can accomplish if I can put my mind to a task, and how beneficial it is to my life has helped become a better student and engineer. The co-op also helped develop my professional communication skills. Being able to write efficient emails and relay critical information while being professional, is huge.
An internship is just not enough time to engage with a company and really develop a feel for how they operate. If you truly want the best experience you can get in order to exceed after graduation, a co-op is the route to choose.
Outside of class, you can probably see (or hear) me participating in our university car club, DriveUT. Cars have been my passion forever, and they are the reason I chose to become a Mechanical Engineer. I drive a 2008 Corvette, and frequently attend car events (Wave at me if you see me!!) I hope what you have read helps you determine what direction you would like to take with your career, whether that be through an engineering co-op or any other path!
