SEE Blog /mechanical/ en Working towards decarbonization with the power of ammonia /mechanical/2024/09/24/working-towards-decarbonization-power-ammonia <span>Working towards decarbonization with the power of ammonia</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-24T19:34:39-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 24, 2024 - 19:34">Tue, 09/24/2024 - 19:34</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/jatinder_1.jpeg?h=609a4a32&amp;itok=8Ubzrf-f" width="1200" height="600" alt="Jatinder Sampathkumar"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/14"> All News </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/453"> Blog </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/341"> Graduate Students </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/391" hreflang="en">Homepage News</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <span>Jatinder Sampathkumar</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Jatinder Sampathkumar is a PhD graduate from Mechanical Engineering and is currently working on new renewable energy technologies at Amogy.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/jatinder.jpeg?itok=tKyH7Ye-" width="750" height="873" alt="Jatinder Sampathkumar"> </div> <br>Jatinder Sampathkumar</div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Tell us about your current role. What are you working on?</p><p>I am a senior systems engineer at Amogy, where I facilitate collaboration between the research and development (R&amp;D)&nbsp;and product development teams. I’m part of the team responsible for designing, packaging, manufacturing, testing&nbsp;and integrating our product's hardware elements. I collaborate closely with our customers to understand their specific needs and interface with certification and regulatory bodies to ensure our products meet safety standards and help shape new regulations for ammonia-powered systems.&nbsp;</p><p class="lead">What makes ammonia interesting as an energy source?</p><p>Ammonia, a century-old chemical produced from hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen, has traditionally served as a fertilizer precursor. It has a&nbsp;superior energy density compared to hydrogen and existing battery chemistries and can provide a carbon-neutral solution for transporting and storing clean energy. Technological advancements&nbsp;including efficient ammonia cracking, direct ammonia propulsion&nbsp;and hybrid fuel blends&nbsp;have opened new avenues for its use in transportation. The existing infrastructure, public familiarity&nbsp;and technological maturity of ammonia from its agricultural applications also contribute to its potential as an energy source.</p><p class="lead">What kinds of applications are a good fit for Amogy's technology? Where do you see it making an impact?</p><p>Currently, the shipping industry is responsible for 3% of global carbon dioxide&nbsp;emissions through its annual consumption of 300 million tons of fossil fuels, making it a key focus area for Amogy's products. Amogy recently <a href="https://apnews.com/article/ammonia-fuel-diesel-amogy-shipping-60beccfb8894c79ddc624026fbf0a8e5" rel="nofollow">sailed the world's first carbon-free, ammonia-powered vessel</a>, marking an important step in demonstrating the capabilities of carbon-free sustainable solutions. Our technology can also be easily adapted for electricity generation in other sectors, such as stationary power generation for critical infrastructure sites, off-grid or remote locations&nbsp;and port-side applications.</p><p class="lead">How does what you do now connect back to your work as a PhD student?</p><p>My research with the Labbe and Boulder Experimental Electronics and Manufacturing (BEEM) labs focused on designing and manufacturing miniature flow devices for evaluating sustainable fuel candidates at the molecular level. I dedicated significant time to applying core mechanical engineering principles to enhance existing experiments that assess the chemical behavior of these fuels. I continue to apply this expertise at Amogy, where we translate experimental findings and theoretical models into practical product capabilities. My experience in the graduate design program has also been instrumental in equipping me with the tools to tackle design challenges from a user-centric perspective. It has emphasized the importance of iterative design as we move from ideation to the operational deployment of products.</p><p class="lead">What advice do you have for students interested in working on new, more sustainable energy sources?</p><p>Sustainable energy development is an urgent global priority, particularly as we strive to combat climate change and diversify our energy sources. One of the most essential skills to cultivate is curiosity. Staying informed about the rapidly evolving energy landscape is crucial. Understanding which technologies are being explored and identifying key sectors for diversification can drive meaningful progress. Engaging in interdisciplinary learning is also vital, as creating sustainable solutions requires collaboration among individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Jatinder Sampathkumar is a PhD graduate from Mechanical Engineering and is currently working on new renewable energy technologies at Amogy.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:34:39 +0000 Anonymous 4340 at /mechanical Undergraduate research with the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab /mechanical/2022/04/04/undergraduate-research-animal-inspired-motion-and-robotics-lab <span>Undergraduate research with the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab </span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-04-04T15:38:17-06:00" title="Monday, April 4, 2022 - 15:38">Mon, 04/04/2022 - 15:38</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/riley_mcgill.jpeg?h=9f50bd47&amp;itok=MspLYyG1" width="1200" height="600" alt="Riley McGill"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/96"> Undergraduate Student Research </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/515" hreflang="en">2022</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/285" hreflang="en">Active Learning</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/391" hreflang="en">Homepage News</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/409" hreflang="en">Spring</a> </div> <span>Riley McGill</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Riley McGill is undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She is working on research in the&nbsp;</em><a href="/lab/jayaram/" rel="nofollow"><em>Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab</em></a><em> (AIMRL).</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/riley_mcgill.jpeg?itok=nU5ucPQU" width="750" height="819" alt="Riley McGill"> </div> <p>Riley McGill</p></div> </div> </div><p>I had the opportunity to work in the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab&nbsp;(AIMRL) this year through the Uplift Program. In the AIMRL, we are studying cockroaches and spiders to design a robot that mimics their movements and the robustness of their bodies. During my time there, I have been helping build a palm-sized, six-legged robot. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the people I get to work with every week.</p><p>Fall semester was a shadowing period, and I was lucky enough to help and gain hands-on experience. I learned the most during this period as I was being taught to operate prototyping machinery. While my focus has been on the building and designing process for the legs and body of the cardboard robots, I have also learned a lot about other projects in the lab related to things like electronics, kinematics and electroadhesion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The skills that I learned during this time are extremely important and will have the most impact in the long run. Although they may seem like simple tasks, operating the laser cutter, heat press, drill press, soldering iron and other machinery was an extremely important part of my time in the lab. Not only have these skills allowed me to contribute to building the robots, they will also allow me to succeed in any engineering position I acquire.</p><p>I have learned a lot about electronics and coding as well. The robot’s legs are powered by motors, with the speed and direction controlled using an app and a bluetooth connection. Because my focus has been on the mechanics and structure of the robot, I have not often work on the electronics. However, I have still learned a lot about Arduino coding language and circuit boards compatible with Arduino. There were many trials and errors when trying to construct the code properly, so I also got to experience that aspect of engineering design.</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-left ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/prototype_six_legged_robot.png?itok=oIaeEwxE" width="750" height="625" alt="Robot prototype"> </div> <br>Prototype of the six-legged robot.</div> </div> </div><p>I am still working on this project and continue to learn more about robotics, design, electronics and the engineering process every time I work. The overall experience of this project and working in a research lab has been very exciting and rewarding. I have learned so much about engineering that I have not learned in a classroom because I am gaining hands-on experience.</p><p>My advice for any student interested in research is to just try it. I would also encourage any student who is unsure what kind of job they want to pursue after college to get involved with research. It is difficult to know exactly what you want to do when most classes during the first 2-3 years of college are conceptual and equation driven. Research has been extremely helpful in teaching me how to apply what I am learning and what kind of fields I can pursue with a mechanical engineering degree.</p><p class="text-align-center"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC36ITAn-VIRjNZkJ4pEZkmw/featured" rel="nofollow"> <span class="ucb-link-button-contents"> <i class="fa-brands fa-youtube">&nbsp;</i> Watch videos from the Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab </span> </a> </p><p class="text-align-center">&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Riley McGill is undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She is working on research in the&nbsp;Animal Inspired Motion and Robotics Lab (AIMRL).</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 04 Apr 2022 21:38:17 +0000 Anonymous 3695 at /mechanical Interning with unspun /mechanical/2022/02/07/interning-unspun <span>Interning with unspun</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-02-07T09:46:09-07:00" title="Monday, February 7, 2022 - 09:46">Mon, 02/07/2022 - 09:46</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/ella_mcquaid.jpeg?h=306f70c4&amp;itok=wPA-eyzZ" width="1200" height="600" alt="Ella McQuaid"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/383" hreflang="en">2021</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/573" hreflang="en">Internship for Credit</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/417" hreflang="en">Summer</a> </div> <span>Ella McQuaid</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Ella McQuaid is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She interned with <a href="https://unspun.io/" rel="nofollow">unspun</a>&nbsp;during summer 2021.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/ella_mcquaid.jpeg?itok=mGTBHHue" width="750" height="920" alt="Ella McQuaid"> </div> <br>Ella McQuaid</div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Can you tell us a little bit about the company where you interned?</p><p>Unspun is a robotics and digital apparel company that makes on-demand, custom jeans by scanning the customer’s body and generating a virtual avatar as a reference for the garment pattern. The company focuses on reducing waste, with the goal of decreasing global carbon emissions by one percent.</p><p class="lead">What was your role as an intern with unspun?</p><p>My primary project at unspun was to modify the machine’s pre-existing fabric collection system into one that better fit unspun’s needs. I started the project by meeting with one of my mentors at unspun to go over the current system and talk about the issues the testing team wanted to address. After brainstorming possible solutions and making rough SolidWorks models, I presented several ideas to the rest of the team. Their feedback and ideas helped me choose a design to move forward with. I built a prototype that did not work initially, but when I asked for advice from the mechanical team, they gave me some great ideas that helped me get to a working model.&nbsp;</p><p class="lead">How will this internship impact your future in mechanical engineering?</p><p>One of the main things I originally hoped to gain through this internship was hands-on experience that I felt I missed out on during the year of remote classes. At unspun, I got to reconnect with all the aspects of engineering that I really enjoyed in previous semesters. Getting to work on a machine, design, prototype, and contribute to a mission that really resonates with me was incredibly encouraging. I saw what it means to be an engineer in a professional capacity which helped me gain confidence in my future.</p><p class="lead">What are the biggest takeaways from this internship?</p><p>The most rewarding and interesting part of this internship was getting to meet everyone at unspun and observe how a startup tech company works from the inside. I tried to absorb all the advice I was given – how professional engineers work, communicate and approach problems, and how the different teams in a small company all work together. Another rewarding experience was seeing something I built working in the way I imagined and producing results that I felt proud of. It was exciting to leave something behind that could continue being used once I left the company.</p><p>To other students considering this program, especially those who have not done other internships, I would like to say that you do not know what It is going to be like to work as an engineer just from school. This is an extremely valuable experience for determining your future path.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Ella McQuaid is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She interned with unspun during summer 2021.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:46:09 +0000 Anonymous 3541 at /mechanical An inside look: Interning with FieldLine Inc. /mechanical/2022/01/24/inside-look-interning-fieldline-inc <span>An inside look: Interning with FieldLine Inc.</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-01-24T10:35:06-07:00" title="Monday, January 24, 2022 - 10:35">Mon, 01/24/2022 - 10:35</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/julia_and_bennett.png?h=f921aa1e&amp;itok=OlAVWfEf" width="1200" height="600" alt="Julia and bennett"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/383" hreflang="en">2021</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/573" hreflang="en">Internship for Credit</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/417" hreflang="en">Summer</a> </div> <span>Julia Beattie</span> <span>,&nbsp;</span> <span>Bennett Verderame</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Julia Beattie and Bennett Verderame are undergraduates in mechanical engineering. They interned at&nbsp;<a href="https://fieldlineinc.com/" rel="nofollow">FieldLine Inc</a>. during summer 2021.&nbsp;</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/untitled-1.png?itok=SIbnnUm4" width="750" height="562" alt="Beattie and Verderame "> </div> <br>Julia Beattie and Bennett Verderame</div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Julia, can you tell us a little bit about the company where you interned?</p><p>Julia Beattie: FieldLine Inc. is a small engineering company located in Boulder, Colorado. Its primary product is a&nbsp;sensor that can detect miniscule changes in a magnetic field. There are many applications to this technology, but FieldLine’s specialty is the <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fieldline-launches-hedscan-a-next-generation-device-for-non-invasive-functional-brain-imaging-301303493.html" rel="nofollow">HEDscan or MEG helmet</a>, which is a wearable helmet containing dozens of sensors that can be used to measure magnetic brain signals. Hospitals and medical researchers can use this in studying and treating brain conditions.</p><p class="lead">Bennett, what was your role as interns with FieldLine Inc?</p><p>Bennett Verderame: Our main project was to design and prototype a chair the company could use for their brain scanning system. We researched chairs used in medical settings by going in-person to hospitals and other centers, buying chairs off online advertising sites to examine them hands-on, and conducting tests with the company’s other employees to determine the most comfortable sitting position.&nbsp;</p><p>When we got to the design phase, we started with a generic chair design that utilized the angles we determined were comfortable and stress tested different variations in Fusion 360. Then, we had brainstorming sessions where we sat down with our sketchbooks and pitched different aesthetic ideas to each other until we decided on one we liked. From there we prototyped our design using a single sheet of plywood and fasteners. We went through multiple iterations and were able to work our way to a proof of concept.&nbsp;</p><p>The final steps for the project were to figure out how to get the chair manufactured and how to attach the helmet onto the chair. We helped a little with this, but it was mainly the job of our supervisors to take over for this final stage.</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/screen_shot_2021-12-16_at_10.26.39_am.png?itok=b8v5BMGT" width="750" height="631" alt="HEDscan"> </div> <br>HEDscan, the brain scanning system Beattie and Verderame were developing a chair for.</div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Julia, what was the most challenging part of your main project?</p><p>Julia Beattie: One of the most challenging parts of our project was figuring out a way for the chair to adjust to accommodate different heights. This was brought up only a few days into the internship, and design adjustments continued all the way until the final week. We cycled through multiple iterations before deciding on a satisfactory final design.&nbsp;</p><p class="lead">Bennett, what technical skills did you gain during the internship?</p><p>Bennett Verderame: We gained a lot of experience modeling in Fusion 360, with our supervisor helping us to create drawings that better communicate with manufacturers. Another skill we gained is woodworking. I went from having never built something life-size with wood to building a sturdy chair. Through working on the height adjustment mechanism for our chair, we learned about component design and how different parts fit into moving mechanisms. We also gained 3D printing skills, as we used the MakerBot software to set up and print parts. Lastly, we began to learn the skill of design for manufacturability. We went through multiple iterations of the chair design due to having to take out certain features that were not manufacturable and add in ones that were.</p><p class="lead">What was the most rewarding part of your internship and what advice would you have for a student starting their first internship?</p><p>Julia Beattie: It is very rewarding to know that I helped develop a product that could potentially be used in hospitals and research centers around the world. I would encourage incoming interns to ask as many questions as possible. Take advantage of the many smart people you are working with and the learning opportunities given to you.</p><p>Bennett Verderame: The most rewarding part of the internship was that we had a definite impact. Even if the company does not end up using our exact chair design down to each nut and bolt, the research Julia and I did will influence what they decide to use for their MEG system. Something I would advise for future students in the program is to take advantage of the opportunity to gain insight from everyone more experienced than you. Whenever there was something I wasn’t sure how to do, or even some advanced scientific topic relating to our product I was just curious about, I was always able to find great information just by asking.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Julia Beattie and Bennett Verderame are undergraduates in mechanical engineering. They interned with&nbsp;FieldLine Inc. during summer 2021.&nbsp;</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 24 Jan 2022 17:35:06 +0000 Anonymous 3547 at /mechanical Completing a co-op at Tesla /mechanical/2021/12/15/completing-co-op-tesla <span>Completing a co-op at Tesla</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-12-15T08:58:48-07:00" title="Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 08:58">Wed, 12/15/2021 - 08:58</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/ahmed_0.jpg?h=ca56eef4&amp;itok=j6j7KHgi" width="1200" height="600" alt="Ahmed Ashmaig"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/383" hreflang="en">2021</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/415" hreflang="en">Fall</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <span>Ahmed Ashmaig</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Ahmed Ashmaig is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering co-president of the <a href="/studentgroups/nsbe/" rel="nofollow">National Society of Black Engineers Boulder Chapter</a>. He participated in a co-op at Tesla during fall 2021.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/ahmed.jpg?itok=EnIlbUEM" width="750" height="1276" alt="Ahmed Ashmaig"> </div> <br>Ahmed Ashmaig</div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Where did you work over the summer and what kinds of projects did you work on?</p><p>I was a process engineering intern working mainly on the Model Y and Model X vehicles. I used software such as SolidWorks and Catia V5 to create tooling, which improves the seat manufacturing process. I would make CAD designs and 3D print the hardware for testing. I also proposed process changes which instilled Lean Six Sigma concepts. My goal was to make the seat assembly lines as efficient as possible by reducing waste, costs and headcount, while improving quality and safety.</p><p class="lead">What interested you in working at Tesla?</p><p>From day one, I was treated like a full-time employee rather than an intern. I was tasked with meaningful projects and my managers had high expectations for me. This was challenging at first, but also extremely rewarding. I knew that my results would have a real impact on both the success of the company and the acceleration of the world’s transition to sustainable energy.</p><p>Also, the engineers’ desks are right above the production floor. I was able to create designs and immediately test them myself. Having a balance of computer work and human interaction is important to me and meant that I was never stuck in a cubicle all day.</p><p class="lead">How has what you’ve learned in your classes showed up in your work? And what did you learn during the co-op that you did not know before?</p><p>My Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) certification from my first year MCEN 1025: Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication class helped a ton. However, I realized that most learning is done on the job rather than in school. I would say that communication skills were most important during my time at Tesla, but it is something that is not traditionally taught in our classes. Instead, my group projects and club involvement helped me develop this skill.</p><p class="lead">What advice do you have for other students that may want to pursue a similar opportunity?</p><p>I would advise students to be confident in their skills and to apply anywhere and everywhere they would like. However, you can significantly improve your chances of being hired by making genuine connections with employees and hiring managers. Having a strong network is important and ensures that your applications are considered. Make sure to build your social media presence and connect with alumni, professors and students in careers and companies you’re interested in.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Ahmed Ashmaig is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering co-president of the National Society of Black Engineers Boulder Chapter. He participated in a co-op at Tesla during fall 2021.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Wed, 15 Dec 2021 15:58:48 +0000 Anonymous 3539 at /mechanical Interning with Shimmick Construction /mechanical/2021/09/28/interning-shimmick-construction <span>Interning with Shimmick Construction </span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-28T16:13:52-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 28, 2021 - 16:13">Tue, 09/28/2021 - 16:13</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/dane_richardson_.jpeg?h=c4434bf3&amp;itok=YlPYqtFi" width="1200" height="600" alt="Dane Richardson"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/453"> Blog </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Dane Richardson is an undergraduate student&nbsp;in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Shimmick Construction during summer 2021.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/dane_richardson_.jpeg?itok=K-_VnRQQ" width="750" height="814" alt="Dane Richardson"> </div> <p><span>Dane Richardson</span></p></div> </div> </div><p class="lead">How did you find your summer internship and what made you excited to apply?</p><p>During summer 2021, I worked for Shimmick Construction in San Francisco as a Field Engineering Intern. I learned about this position from a career fair at CU. This internship interested me because it gave me the opportunity to move to California&nbsp;for the summer working in person. I was also interested in getting real world experience using what I had learned in the classroom.</p><p class="lead">What did your work look like as a Field Engineering Intern?</p><p>I worked with a team of three other engineers as the primary contractor on the BART Market Street Entry Canopies job.&nbsp; I spent a lot of time in the field and in the office helping with coordinating tasks and progressing the job. When I was in the field, I would help the construction workers with questions about the drawings for the job and learned a lot from them about hands-on construction work. When I was in the office, I was learning about how to manage and prepare for a large-scale project and the importance of communication between all parties on a job. I wrote RFIs to the owner, worked on submittals, managed documents, and analyzed drawings.&nbsp;</p><p class="lead">How did the ME skills you’ve learned through your classes show up in your work?</p><p>One of my larger tasks was making 3D models of the concrete work on the job to help with field coordination and make the drawings easier to read. I used SolidWorks to make the models and produce drawings and values for concrete required on the job. That project let me draw on what I learned in MCEN1025 and apply it to a real project.&nbsp;</p><p class="lead">What advice do you have for other students interested in similar opportunities?</p><p>The advice I have for another student in a similar opportunity is to talk to everyone and try and build strong relationships for a better chance of an offer back/for full time. This also will help build references for future career opportunities. My advice for the career fairs would be to talk to more companies than you think. It’s a great networking opportunity and you can show interest in a company without committing to anything.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Dane Richardson is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Shimmick Construction during summer 2021.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 28 Sep 2021 22:13:52 +0000 Anonymous 3421 at /mechanical Interning with Sandia National Laboratories /mechanical/2021/09/16/interning-sandia-national-laboratories <span>Interning with Sandia National Laboratories</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-16T11:51:17-06:00" title="Thursday, September 16, 2021 - 11:51">Thu, 09/16/2021 - 11:51</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/img_0003_-_katie_schutt.jpg?h=3556d4e6&amp;itok=Q_2Ht8QW" width="1200" height="600" alt="Katie Schutt"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/453"> Blog </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <span>Katherine Schutt</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Katie Schutt is an undergraduate student&nbsp;in mechanical engineering. She is currently interning with Sandia National Laboratories.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/img_0003_-_katie_schutt.jpg?itok=huxOyFeL" width="750" height="501" alt="Katie Schutt"> </div> <p>Katie Schutt</p><p></p></div> </div> </div> <p class="lead">Where are you working this summer and what made them stand out in your search?</p><p>Since the beginning of August I have been working remotely as a Virtual Technologies &amp; Engineering Intern at Sandia National Laboratories. The intersection of entertainment and engineering is something that really interests me, so I was very excited to pursue this role where I use Unity (a video game engine) and Blender (a computer graphics software) to animate and model critical components.</p><p class="lead">What kinds of projects or tasks have you been able to contribute to? What does your day to day work look like?</p><p>I write scripts in C# and Python to animate and measure values within rigid body dynamics simulations. I am working on projects involving multidisciplinary teams where communication is critical to successful outcomes, so animations utilizing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can allow for a deeper understanding and improve that communication.</p><p class="lead">How has what you've learned in your classes showed up in your work?&nbsp; Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized you could draw on class material?</p><p>My introductory experiences with programming through high school robotics and my freshman computer science course CSCI 1320 were really helpful. When I started the internship I was comfortable using IDEs and&nbsp; different methods of debugging code because of those experiences. When I was first learning Unity and Blender, I used&nbsp;the materials from my dynamics and physics courses to practice designing rigid body dynamic simulations.</p><p class="lead">What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?</p><p>While typical two or three month summer internships are still wonderful opportunities, I would also explore roles beyond them like co-ops or internships you can reasonably continue part-time during the school year. In my experience, the first few weeks of an internship consists of learning how to be a productive employee within your organization and catching up on software, hardware, and testing skills. The ability to continue working on those skills in a professional environment can be really beneficial to their growth.</p><p>I'd also recommend using your resources to connect with someone who works in places you are interested in learning more about: search for CU Engineering alumni on LinkedIn, attend career events, mention your interests and job search, seek out current interns or alumni employees from organizations you are involved in.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Katie Schutt is an undergraduate student&nbsp;in mechanical engineering. She is currently interning with Sandia National Laboratories.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:51:17 +0000 Anonymous 3381 at /mechanical Interning with Electro-Mechanical Products /mechanical/2021/09/13/interning-electro-mechanical-products <span>Interning with Electro-Mechanical Products</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-13T13:47:29-06:00" title="Monday, September 13, 2021 - 13:47">Mon, 09/13/2021 - 13:47</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/img_8081_original_-_spencer_white.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&amp;itok=TQo8y_GN" width="1200" height="600" alt="Spencer White"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/453"> Blog </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/353"> Undergraduate Students </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/383" hreflang="en">2021</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <span>Spencer White</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Spencer White is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering and a proud member of the CU Cycling Team.&nbsp;He interned with <a href="http://electromechanicalproducts.com" rel="nofollow">Electro-Mechanical Products</a> during summer 2021.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/img_8081_original_-_spencer_white.jpg?itok=pf2zFcRe" width="750" height="500" alt="Spencer White"> </div> <p>Spencer White</p></div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?</p><p>This summer I had the amazing opportunity to work as a Manufacturing Engineer Intern at Electro-Mechanical Products Inc. in Lakewood, CO. I first became interested in manufacturing from Prof. Tsai's MCEN 4026 class and wanted to supplement my education with hands-on manufacturing&nbsp;experience. EMP fit the bill perfectly. I was immediately interested in them because of their commitment to creating a high-functioning intern team environment&nbsp;and because we would be working on process improvement projects, something I had not had extensive experience with and was excited to learn more about.</p><p class="lead">What kinds of projects or tasks were you able to contribute to? What did your day to day work look like?</p><p>Our intern team was able to contribute to as many or as few projects as we saw fit over the summer. On day one we were presented with a list of ~20 process improvement projects based on plant need&nbsp;that varied in project complexity. One project I worked on was designing and implementing an automated pneumatic tube-pressing machine to vastly improve downstream manufacturing efficiency. This ~$45000 project utilized machine design skills in I/O based circuits, fluid logic, fixture design, and microcontroller programming.&nbsp;</p><p>My day to day work varied between being behind the desk and on the factory floor. Typically I was involved in fixture modeling, creating drawings, talking with machinists, testing and designing circuits and the like. If working in a role like this, be prepared to split your time between desk and floor work!</p><p class="lead">Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed your engineering skills?</p><p>While working on our automation project, we had to interface a fluid logic circuit utilizing solenoids and our programming language. It was an interesting problem designing and testing circuitry to drive a mechanical apparatus with signals originating from a microcontroller, especially in the testing phase. This pushed my engineering and creativity skills to hypothesize all of the numerous possible failure possibilities and design to mitigate these. For example, to uphold project goals of operator safety and reducing scrap, we had to consider if our computer failed, and design for it to fail safely without damaging people or parts.</p><p class="lead">Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could use an equation or skill you'd learned in class?</p><p>EMP supported the Manufacturing Engineering Interns very well and allowed us relative autonomy in our everyday work, so whatever we were interested in tackling, we did. In my case this involved CAD and creating engineering drawings and working on circuit design. From the ME/EE Circuits course I was able to use transistor math to work with Solid-State Relays (SSR’s) for the first time to take small-power signals and throttle them up to drive high power devices. Having background in op-amps and transistors from the circuits course and in SolidWorks from my CAD class&nbsp;allowed me to contribute to the work in a meaningful way.</p><p class="lead">What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?</p><p>When working or interning in a field related to manufacturing engineering, make sure to keep an open mind and be willing to learn new skills and processes. This field is very dynamic and ever-changing so adaptability is key. Additionally, put effort into team dynamics. You would be surprised at the final results when teams are working at their best and all members of a team are creatively contributing!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Spencer White is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering and a proud member of the CU Cycling Team.&nbsp;He interned with Electro-Mechanical Products during summer 2021.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:47:29 +0000 Anonymous 3347 at /mechanical Interning with Phillips 66 /mechanical/2021/09/09/interning-phillips-66 <span>Interning with Phillips 66</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-09T06:59:31-06:00" title="Thursday, September 9, 2021 - 06:59">Thu, 09/09/2021 - 06:59</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/megan_conard.jpg?h=84071268&amp;itok=EAxGPH3E" width="1200" height="600" alt="Megan Conard"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/453"> Blog </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/341"> Graduate Students </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <span>Megan Conard</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Megan Conard is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She interned with Phillips 66 during summer 2021 and summer 2022.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/megan_conard.jpg?itok=BicbuUAr" width="750" height="563" alt="Megan Conard"> </div> <br>Megan Conard<br> </div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Where did you work over the summer and what kinds of projects did you work on?</p><p>During summer 2021, I interned as a refinery engineer at Phillip 66’s Billings refinery. While I was there, I worked with the turnaround group. This began with learning the turnaround process for when a refinery shuts down their units to debottleneck, perform maintenance, and make upgrades. During my time at the refinery, I worked on three projects involving turnaround preparation:&nbsp;the risk register, a quality control handbook, and sign-off wall charts.</p><p>For my second summer with Phillips 66, I interned at the Sweeny Refinery. While I worked on turnaround last summer, this summer I got to work in the projects group. As a return intern, this internship gave me the opportunity to expand upon my existing knowledge in a different aspect of refining.</p><p class="lead">Are there any projects you worked on that stand&nbsp;out as really pushing your learning?</p><p>My biggest project in 2021 was the risk register, which required me to risk rank (probability x consequence) possible risk events that could occur during turnaround. I then developed mitigation plans and ordered contingency materials. This involved using a lot of my material science knowledge to determine the likelihood of corrosion given running conditions as well as choose metallurgy that could prevent this issue in the future, while keeping pricing in mind.</p><p>This summer, I worked on two projects. My first project was in the beginning phase, where I designed, defined, funded and estimated the cost of installing a new parallel eductor system to pull gases off of a reservoir that was causing a compressor to leak. My second project was in the execution phase, so I oversaw the fabrication and installation of new differential pressure transmitters.</p><p class="lead">Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed your engineering skills?</p><p>Much of my internship this summer involved me learning process engineering skills, which was the most challenging given a mechanical engineering background. I think what best prepared me for this in my background was how professors at CU introduce new material and help you build an intuition for engineering problems you've never seen before.</p><p class="lead">What advice would you have for a student interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?&nbsp;</p><p>For any student preparing for an internship in general, my biggest advice is to talk to everyone you can. In addition to communication and teamwork skills being the majority of my evaluation, by talking to people you learn about how they feel about the company, work environment, benefits, and pay - basically whether this job will be for you. For oil and&nbsp;gas internships, I suggest making a list of abbreviations as soon as you get to the job. Refineries are so fast paced and complicated that starting is like drinking out of a firehose!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>[box color="white" style="filled" float="right"]</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:59:31 +0000 Anonymous 3313 at /mechanical Interning with FIRST RF /mechanical/2021/09/07/interning-first-rf <span>Interning with FIRST RF</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2021-09-07T16:10:43-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 7, 2021 - 16:10">Tue, 09/07/2021 - 16:10</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/dario_garcia.jpeg?h=cbf683e1&amp;itok=hTnABjo0" width="1200" height="600" alt="Dario Garcia"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/453"> Blog </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/341"> Graduate Students </a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/371"> Professional Development </a> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/265" hreflang="en">SEE</a> <a href="/mechanical/taxonomy/term/449" hreflang="en">SEE Blog</a> </div> <span>Dario Garcia</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Dario Garcia is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He is currently interning with FIRST RF.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-white"> <div class="ucb-box-inner"> <div class="ucb-box-title"></div> <div class="ucb-box-content"><p> </p><div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/mechanical/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/article-image/dario_garcia.jpeg?itok=qq4_HxH3" width="750" height="1000" alt="Dario Garcia"> </div> <p>Dario Garcia</p></div> </div> </div><p class="lead">Where have you been working this summer and what made them stand out in your internship search?</p><p>This summer I had the pleasure of working at FIRST RF! I found the application through Indeed and I was interested in them as&nbsp;they’re an aerospace and antenna/RF company. They also emphasized that I would be working hands on with actual mechanical engineering projects, so that sold me instantly.</p><p class="lead">What kinds of projects have you been able to contribute to? What does your day to day work look like?</p><p>Although a majority of my projects related to proprietary information, I was able to assist my team with many different aspects of their work. I worked on the initial designs and 3D modeling of parts and products, as well as modeling and prototyping of upcoming projects. I was also able to work within the company's production facilities on the assembly of current products.</p><p class="lead">How did what you've learned through classes show up in your work? &nbsp;</p><p>I would 100% say CAD and SolidWorks with its respective certificates. My internship dealt with complex models and parts that were ever evolving and changing. Being well versed in CAD and being a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) and Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) allowed me to not only secure the job, but to also contribute to the work right away.&nbsp;</p><p class="lead">What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?</p><p>Be persistent and confident! A lot of these jobs are competitive and may sound intimidating, but just remember that you are getting an&nbsp;education to make you equally as competitive. You may get turned down from some but so many other ones are open as well! During interviews and internships, remain confident. Present yourself how you want and remember how capable you are!</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Dario Garcia is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He is currently interning with FIRST RF.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 07 Sep 2021 22:10:43 +0000 Anonymous 3303 at /mechanical