HDT Global

Mechanical Engineering Intern

May - August 2020 • Tanner, AL

What I liked

At HDT Global, I really enjoyed having the ability to enhance my skills as a mechanical engineering student in many different ways. HDT Global exposed me to all the engineering disciplines that they had at their facilities. Throughout my time at HDT Global, I was really able to find the areas that were of interest to me and really get hands on experience with it. The supervisors there were all about teaching and preparing the interns for careers beyond the general scope of the internship. HDT Global is a great place to get your feet wet in the world of Mechanical Engineering.

What I wish was different

The experience I had here was great, and I don't think I would have wished anything to be different.

Advice

The only advice I have for people who intern here is don't be afraid to ask questions. Also try to get as much experience in many different areas as possible because you never know what you might like.

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Engineering Intern

June - August 2019 • Huntsville, AL

What I liked

As a summer intern with HDT Global I had hands on experience in a manufacturing environment. I was given actual work and was able to see designs through as I worked with engineers and drafters. Throughout the summer long internship I was able to see different products and be exposed to several different concepts. I touched several drawings to make design changes and worked with R&D on some projects. I spent time training on the production floor, seeing how products are manufactured. I was also allowed to help and try my hand at some techniques. Everyone during my internship was willing to answer my questions and work with as I learned. We also would do lunches together mid-week, which was a good way to get to know coworkers outside of the office. I am now working full-time at HDT Global as a mechanical engineer, and the internship gave me a head start on understanding what the day to day would be like. I was able to take what I had learned during the internship and start building upon it almost immediately.

What I wish was different

I think teamwork with another intern on a larger project would have been valuable. Its worth noting that the most recent round of interns had this experience - showing me that the leadership is willing to take considerations and improve.

Advice

I think a large part of why I was able to learn and grow during my internship was the fact that I was willing to work, and I asked questions. Without being willing to put in the work and learn a concept from the beginning to the end, its hard to gain a full understanding. Learning even the roles that aren't necessarily your responsibility go a long way in overall understanding.

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Engineering Intern

May - August 2020 • Huntsville, AL

What I liked

While this position was primarily a design internship, I was able to gain experience with hands-on production processes and manufacturing engineering as well. Through this internship, I was able to grow in my SolidWorks skills and better understand the design process from start to finish. When I voiced that I wanted more exposure to the R&D side of the company, they made arrangements for me to spend time there. The most valuable part of this internship was being able to see a product go from a CAD model you worked on to the production floor, where it was really made.

What I wish was different

I wish I had voiced earlier what it is I wanted to learn more about. They are willing to work with you to give you the experience you hope to gain.

Advice

This internship can be a really cool experience if you put a good effort into it. There will be things that you do not understand in the beginning or do not know how to do, and it will be more beneficial to you to ask questions rather than try to figure it out on your own. Talk to the people around you, even outside the engineering department, so you can get a better view of what you are working on.

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Mechanical Engineer

May - August 2020 • Huntsville, AL

What I liked

HDT offered me full autonomy to pioneer a project on my own. I enjoyed this freedom to learn and think on my own while also receiving good constructive feedback. All of the employees that I met there were great and made the job extremely enjoyable. During the internship, HDT gave the interns a "challenge" to design the best stakepuller and offered a reward to the winning team. I thought this was a fun and engaging way to give us a project. I'd definitely recommend the experience.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more opportunities to learn from the senior engineers.

Advice

You can learn and do a ton if you are action oriented. Take the initiative to learn from the ones around you and to ask for advice. Everyone here is more than happy to assist you.

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Mechanical Engineering Intern

May - August 2020 • Tanner, AL

What I liked

During my internship with HDT Global, I really liked the unparalleled learning opportunities that allowed me to grow in all aspects of engineering. In addition to mechanical engineering, I was exposed to areas such as manufacturing engineering, quality, design, production, and testing. Interning at HDT Global allowed me the opportunity to get real hands-on experience out on the production floor as well as the opportunity to work on challenging upper-level engineering work. My supervisors always allowed me to try new things, and they made sure that I was benefiting from my internship experience. In addition, all of the HDT Global employees that I had the opportunity to interact with were extremely helpful and kind.

What I wish was different

Overall, I had a wonderful experience working at HDT Global, but I do wish I had gained more exposure to the customer service side of engineering and manufacturing.

Advice

My advice to future student interns is to ask for the opportunity to try new things within the company whether they are specifically outlined within your job roles or not. Also, I would say that it is extremely important and beneficial to ask questions and seek help from industry professionals.

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Supply Chain Intern

October 2018 - July 2019 • Geneva, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed that challenge that every day brought. I had no supply chain experience prior to this internship, so it was initially very difficult to adapt to the structure that HDT required. After a couple weeks, I noticed myself becoming more comfortable with day-to-day work. We utilized SAP to place and manage purchase order, maintain material cost/price, and generate useful reports. This allowed me to perform at a more efficient and effective manner. Becoming more familiar with SAP was undoubtedly the most beneficial concept I took away from the internship because I now use it in my every day life at my current company. Being part of a team was also an eye-opening experience. Although I played baseball from age 5 to 21, a team in the business world differs greatly than that of a sports team. I faced many different personalities, so I learned to adjust my behavior toward each individual accordingly. I faced many obstacles during my 10 months at HDT, but appreciated the overall wisdom and knowledge I gained in the end.

What I wish was different

There are a couple aspects I wish were different during my internship. The first being more recognition for excelling at a task, having a positive attitude, and helping teammates. I can recall numerous occasions when I achieved one of these, but never received positive remarks for my efforts. I did not notice this until I transitioned to my current role at a different company. My manger does not hesitate to acknowledge my performance, whether it be positive or negative. This leads me to my the next aspect I wished would have been different at HDT. Considering that it was my first job in a professional setting, I valued constructive criticism from my manger before even starting the job. Unfortunately, it never came. As a result of this, I became frustrated not knowing if I was properly executing tasks. Some people do not take constructive criticism well, but I believe it is extremely beneficial to enhance and develop a career.

Advice

A piece of advice I would recommend to individuals facing a similar situation than mine would be to reach out to professionals in a relevant role to their own. Whether it be a networking site like LinkedIn and Handshake, or a family friend, it would be wise to reach out for advice on what to expect and how to prepare for their role. This way, they can be prepared to face the challenges that the job brings. The last piece of advice I would recommend would be to have fun and try to find fulfillment, both in the culture of the company and the actual work. I made it a priority to seek companies that hold everyone accountable for their work, but also emphasize the importance of enjoyable activities unrelated to work.

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