I was given the opportunity to be in charge of meaningful projects that had a positive impact on the company. This allowed me to gain hands-on experience in the field and improve my leadership skills. I also enjoyed collaborating with other like-minded engineers and learning from their expertise. My supervisor taught me valuable knowledge about the industry and how the plant operates on a daily basis. I found the different chemical processes to be especially interesting to learn about as well.
For my second co-op term at CIL, I was put in charge of implementing various process changes around the plant. This involved creating drawings and P&IDs as well as coordinating with contractors to get the work done properly. I liked that I was trusted with more responsibilities and larger projects as I continue to gain more experience in the field. I also see a lot of opportunities for growth within the company.
During my third term, I completed several projects in different areas of the plant. Specifically, I wrote a procedure on how to pull samples from one of the many separation cascades and also how to analyze those samples using mass spectrometry. Additionally, I used Aspen Plus software to simulate gas flow through different pipes and calculated the pressure drop for each. I utilized AutoCAD to edit various P&IDs and 3D models of the processes as well. I enjoyed expanding my technical skills and learning to use multiple different types of software.
What I wish was different
For my first co-op term, I wish I could have been more involved in the other processes around the plant. I mainly worked on the improvement of one specific process. Therefore, I hope to get the opportunity to explore different areas in the future. I was also interested in learning more about the business management side of engineering.
Since completing my second term, I was given projects to work on for multiple different processes. By doing so, I became more familiar with other areas of the plant. I also got to work with a wide range of different people on site as opposed to only working with the engineers my first term. I do not wish anything else had been different for this term.
For my third term in the summer, I wish I had more time to finish a lot of the projects that I had started. I initiated many process changes but did not get to see them all the way through due to the shorter time frame. I hope to continue these ongoing projects during my next term. I would also like to get more involved with plant expansion projects.
Advice
Don't be afraid of a challenge. I was initially hesitant to take on challenges in fear of failing. However, I realized that challenging yourself teaches you to be resilient and will help you grow as a person whether you succeed or fail. I also found overcoming these challenges to be incredibly rewarding. As a result of pushing myself, I gained more confidence in my abilities as well.
Always ask questions! Everyone is very willing to answer them and to help you learn. If you are confused or want confirmation, just ask for help. Keep in mind that the engineers are not perfect either. You might catch a mistake or problem that they initially overlooked because you were brave enough to question why.
Take initiative to learn and troubleshoot on your own. Your employer will trust you with more involved projects and responsibilities if you are able to independently solve problems. Try a few different methods and solutions first before asking for help. This approach will teach you to be self-sufficient and not constantly rely on others.
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Process Engineering Co-op
January - May 2023 • Xenia, OH
What I liked
I really enjoyed learning about the different processes and how different engineering perspectives shaped their design. By executing continuous improvement projects, creating and updating drawings, and observing operations, I was able to learn more in-depth about a few processes. I was encouraged to provide my own engineering ideas, and rarely was I given "busy work." I am excited to see how the expansion projects that I worked on come together.
What I wish was different
Because I was a co-op, sometimes I wasn't completely sure how much authority I had. It was confusing at times as far as who I had to consult with prior to executing certain projects. However, this issue resolved by the end of the term once I had a good understanding of who was in charge of what processes. I think it would have been useful to have a crash course on who does what at the beginning of my term.
Advice
If you have a question, try to figure out the answer yourself first. Especially at the beginning of the term, use any resources you have to find the answer and try to come up with something before you ask a supervisor. It's definitely okay to ask questions, but you can learn so much by watching other people, reading through documents, or even searching the internet. Acknowledge that your supervisor and coworkers are trying to simultaneously do their job and train you to do yours.
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Process Engineer
May - August 2022 • Xenia, OH
What I liked
I enjoyed the type of work I did. There was a mix of continuous process improvement and excel automation. I felt like my feedback was well received. I was treated like a member of the team when it came to making decisions, which I found especially rewarding. I also liked the size of the company and how easy it was to communicate with others on site.
What I wish was different
The workload varied week to week. Some days I would have a large project to work on while other days I had to find different ways to stay busy. I think having the chance to work on other engineering project outside the process I was focused on would be a good solution to the varied workload. That being said, I enjoyed the type of work I completed.
Advice
Don't be afraid to talk to the other engineers in the office. By doing so, you will learn a lot about the other processes at the plant. Take tours of these process to better understand them once you have a basic understanding of how everything operates. There are some pretty interesting reactions that happen on site that are worth learning about. Also, the other engineers are fun to be around in general.
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Information Technology Intern
May - August 2021 • Tewksbury, MA
What I liked
The employees at CIL are kind and wish the best for each other. As an intern, I felt as learning and creating new skills were valued as much as anything I produced on the job.
What I wish was different
For what I was tasked to do, really nothing.
Advice
Take the time to go above and beyond in your work. Your efforts to excel will be noticed and rewarded.
