- Major: Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Company: Flint Group
- Graduation Year: May 2023
- E-mail: ltaylo71@vols.utk.edu
Profile
Gray, Tennessee
I completed my co-op with Flint Group in Asheville, NC. This site is known for making rubber printing blankets that transfer ink to paper. Our product is sold to newspaper and magazine producers though we are moving more toward the packaging industry. I did a total of three terms at Flint Group. I worked as a process engineer in the Operations department using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma techniques to improve the manufacturing process.
In addition to a co-op, I completed an internship working with Keurig Dr. Pepper in Knoxville, TN. The Knoxville site is the largest manufacturer of KCups in the world. They produce KCups for a variety of brands including Dunkin Donuts, Green Mountain, and Starbucks. During my internship, I worked on the Process Improvement Team implementing Total Productive Maintenance techniques to the process.
I decided to co-op because I wanted to gain engineering work experience before graduation. It gave me the opportunity to see what is expected of an engineer in the real world after college. I was given the opportunity to be a project manager on my projects, work on teams, and learn how manufacturing industries operate. One lesson I learned is that you are not always going to know the answer or the next step. You will have to do research, talk to engineers, managers, and operators to come to a solution.
Now I know what is expected of an engineer in the workplace. It has helped me build leadership skills and become a better team member. I had never been in a manufacturing plant before my co-op, so it allowed me to learn the manufacturing process and the basics of working in industry.
Before this co-op, I knew next to nothing about manufacturing or being an engineer in the real world. Now I feel prepared with all the skills I need to be a successful engineer. Your company will teach you and give you all the tools you need. It's okay if you go in knowing nothing because you will come out feeling confident and prepared for the real world.
When I'm not busy studying or working I like to read books, take my dog to the dog park, relax by the pool, and hang out with friends.
