I loved the autonomy I was given at Freudenberg. I was involved in every step of the projects I was given over the summer: designing, ordering parts, assembling, testing, etc. I felt like I was actually contributing something to the company while learning how to apply my engineering skills in real-world scenarios. Overall, my coworkers were very pleasant to be around, and I never felt intimidated to ask any questions.
What I wish was different
The co-op is designed to introduce you to the factory for the first few weeks before you begin projects. I felt like this warm-up period was a bit longer than necessary, as I was eager to take on some responsibility. In addition, some of the projects I took on were rather dull and repetitive, but other projects did make up for these. Apart from these small gripes, I wouldn't see the need to change much about the job.
Advice
When days start to drag and/or you have nothing to do, reach out to someone! There is always something at the factory that someone could use a hand on. At Freudenberg, nobody is going to refuse your help. With every little task you help with, you are gaining valuable experience to take to your future endeavors.
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Co Op
January - May 2022 • Troy, OH
What I liked
The people here were lovely to work with, and the environment was very welcoming. I could not have asked for a more perfect first engineering-based job. The experience was very informative and it helped me solidify my desires and plans for the future. Additionally, the site that I worked at didn't have an overwhelming amount of office staff. So, I was able to have a more unique and individualized experience.
What I wish was different
I wish that I could have gone on a few more road trips to visit companies that Freudenberg works with. This co-op term has sparked my curiosity on what other industries look like. There is a wide variety of companies that Freudenberg directly works with in the area. So, being able to visit some different work environments would be very interesting. This is something I am very excited to pursue in my second semester with Freudenberg.
Advice
One piece of advice I would share is to bond with the people working in the office and on the shop floor. My boss gave me this piece of advice the first week I started working here. And truly, it made work so much more enjoyable. The best part of this job was the people. So, I would highly recommend you make the most out of your time, and really get to know the people you are working with.
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Process Development Engineer
May - August 2019 • LaGrange, GA
What I liked
I enjoyed how much hands on experience I was able to get and seeing how all aspects of a manufacturing plant work together.
What I wish was different
Advice
Learn from everyone as much as you can regardless of the department they are in. While your internship may have you working in one area, it is beneficial to use this time to see if you have an interest in other departments of the plant. You will be surprised by how much you have learned by the end of the work experience.
