ZF North America, Inc.

Mechanical Engineering Intern

June - August 2021 • Livonia, MI

What I liked

I liked all of the details of the job and the industry that I was able to learn from job shadowing the engineers. The engineers at Livionia were also welcoming, knowledgeable and fun to talk to. The projects, systems and equipment the engineers at the headquarters were interesting to see. At the Fowlerville plant, it was a good experience to see the manufacturing process first hand and work on a variety of different machines, including a CNC machine and an anodizing machine. I also enjoyed having a fast-paced working experience at the Fowlerville plant. The staff at the Fowlerville factory were kind and helpful and were open to answer my questions and show me what to do. Whenever I talked with the supervisors at the plant they were understanding and glad to answer my questions.

What I wish was different

At the Livonia headquarters, the engineers didn't always have enough to show to last the entire 8-4 shift. This could have been partly due to the engineers working different hours to the interns. The supervisors at the plant were not as hands-on as I expected and some days I wanted to show them what I was doing and discuss it with them. I was able to do this with the regular workers I was with however.

Advice

Hydrate when on the factory floor, it is a dehydrating environment and the breaks are 2 hours apart. Also make sure you are using good posture during your shift to avoid fatigue. This position also involves some driving, so it is necessary to have a car.

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Commodity Purchasing Intern

June - August 2020 • Northville, MI

What I liked

Loved the company and my managers. It was cool to work with and talk to people all over the globe, and our project was useful to the company and fulfilling. I know if I worked there full time there would involve a lot of traveling, which is really cool. Overall I enjoyed the internship and learned a lot! My project was a lot of Excel work. ZF pays very well and even gave holiday pay to us interns.

What I wish was different

Really wish there were more workshops to give us the opportunity to learn more about the company and be more introduced to their culture. The internship was virtual, so of course that had something to do with it. Also wish there was more of a community created among the interns and within the company.

Advice

They did not offer any return offers, not sure if it was just my group, so that is something to be kept in mind. Also, this company is in the automotive industry, so if this is an industry you're looking toward you are in the right place. One more thing, the company is based in Germany, so you will most likely have to work early in the morning to accommodate to their time zone!

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HR and Finance Intern

March 2020 • Tuscaloosa, AL

What I liked

I enjoyed the cross-functionality of the internship. They have a team called the IYP which stands for the intern and young professionals program which does a ton of community service. I was also able to work with several departments. I feel like I am taken seriously here and have importance.

What I wish was different

I wish I had started working here at a different time instead of right before COVID-19 hit. It was stressful not knowing my role yet, but having to help out everywhere.

Advice

I would say to go into the interview feeling confident in yourself, whether that is at ZF or elsewhere. Study up on the company you are applying for, and give it your best shot.

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Purchasing Intern

June - August 2020 • Northville, MI

What I liked

The project I worked on this summer was meaningful and left an impact on the company.

What I wish was different

I wish we were given the opportunity to job shadow or learn more about other positions within the company.

Advice

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Manufacturing Engineering Intern

June 2019 • Rogersville, TN

What I liked

I really enjoyed the hands on learning experience. Everyone is so helpful with questions and the leads really do test your knowledge and push you to achieve things you would otherwise think impossible.

What I wish was different

I would only work on morale, it seems the company as a whole has forgotten to really focus on employees.

Advice

Always work with an open mind. Even if you believe you can’t do something it’s amazing what you will accomplish if you just try.

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Spare Parts Intern

May 2018 - August 2019 • Marysville, WA

What I liked

The people and culture were really great, everyone wants to see everyone succeed. Getting to see a manufacturing plant and impact how it runs was a really cool experience.

What I wish was different

I wish there were more projects for me to work on.

Advice

Go get involve in other departments, most people are friendly and want to tell you about what they do.

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Engineering co-op

August 2012 - January 2014 • Gainesville, GA

What I liked

Real world automotive manufacturer

What I wish was different

Would have liked to move to different departments in the company

Advice

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Administrative Assistant Intern

September 2019 • Gray Court, SC

What I liked

I like the work environment. Everyone here is very friendly and willing to help around the office.

What I wish was different

I wish I got a full time position rather than an internship because I'm not a student anymore and they only allow you to be an intern for up to 6 months after you graduate.

Advice

My advice is to step out of your comfort zone and try a path that you didn't think you would be in.

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Purchasing Intern

May - August 2019 • Washington, MI

What I liked

-Working on an experienced team -Going to Mexico to tour manufacturing plants and participating in a supplier readiness review -Meeting with suppliers -Working with international employees -Cross functionality

What I wish was different

Nothing! I had an amazing experience and was provided numerous opportunities to advance personally and professionally!

Advice

1. It's important to always be networking and creating relationships with the people you work with! 2. Always ask questions and try to learn as much as you possibly can. 3. Explore other areas that relate to your major, you never know what you could end up enjoying.

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spare parts help

May - August 2018 • Marysville, MI

What I liked

The welcoming atmosphere, everyone was extremely caring and wanted me to get the most out of the job.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more work to do, sometimes it was slow.

Advice

Great place to work, but it's hard to get in if you don't know someone.

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Human Resources Intern

February 2018 • Marysville, MI

What I liked

Working for ZF North America has opened endless possibilities to learn and grow.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

There are plenty of opportunities to learn and do new things, so make sure those are taken advantage of.

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Lean manufacturing intern

May 2018 • Marysville, MI

What I liked

No micromanagement, lots of independence. My role had lots of of opportunities to work with other departments and assist in their tasks. My boss was one of the best I’ve ever had.

What I wish was different

Management directive for some departments was not supportive of others.

Advice

Always ask others for help whenever you need it and make them feel like they are experts in the field you’re asking for help on. They’ll feel more than happy to help you then.

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Electrical Engineering Intern

June - September 2018 • Livonia, MI

What I liked

Hands on and experience into the field. Great staff and heavy work load

What I wish was different

Inside was very boring and gray. Not very bright.

Advice

Prepare for work and a great experience

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Engineering co-op

April 2017 • Farmington, MI

What I liked

My team.

What I wish was different

Distance to drive to work.

Advice

Connect with people!

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Assist engineers with report writing, perform basic lab tests, measure component dimensions, and update couple scripts to enhance working speed with repetitive tasks.

September - December 2017 • Livonia, MI

What I liked

I worked with smart and dedicated engineers. They tasked me with real engineer work and they treated me as a responsible adult.

What I wish was different

I wish MSU was in Livonia so that I would continue working there.

Advice

- Writing reports are what you will spend a chunk of your time doing if this was your first internship. If you were with the Braking Actuation applications group, they let you choose your own project based on what you think could improve productivity in the workplace. - Work at this internship as if it was your real job and you are going to spend the next 25+ years working it. - Connect with your coworkers and attend optional behavioral trainings if possible. - Be precise in delivering information and assertive when necessary when asking for work to be done for you. Always ask about deadlines and don't be afraid to say I don't know or I'm not sure if asked a question you have no idea how to answer. - Have realistic expectations. Mistakes happen, deadlines get missed and people forget. Make sure you your best job so minimize those mistakes - Make sure to question the purpose of what you are doing at all times.

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Product Engineering Co-op NVH

September - December 2017 • Livonia, MI

What I liked

I liked my coworkers and their willingness to explain concepts to me I haven’t learned. In addition I liked the company and the fact they are involved in the automobile industry. It was fun seeing and testing parts and cars that aren’t released yet.