It is important to network with people, be confident with your skills and try and grab every opportunity to showcase it.
Name: Ashwin Sudarshan
Major: Mechanical Engineering'
Employer: Novelis
Location: Oswego, NY
How did you find the internship/co-op? What was the interview process like? I found the internship by networking on Linkedin and other social platforms. I was able to get in touch with the HR after I applied for the internship and that's how I got an interview. The interview process was pretty straightforward. There was an HR Round at first, followed by a technical interview where the engineering team was present.
What have been the most interesting aspects of your internship? I think the experience of working in a manufacturing plant is great. I had a plant tour during my orientation and that's when I could see the challenges faced by the operators and the people working at the plant. It gave me a lot of perspective. I was part of the engineering team and worked on a couple of projects during my time there, where I had to use CAD and analytical skills on a daily basis.
What campus activities or courses do you think helped you, or would have helped you, with this internship? I think a lot of core courses helped me, right from my undergraduate studies. Courses on Engineering Design and Reliability were pretty useful.
How would you describe the company culture? What was the most helpful thing your supervisor did to make you feel comfortable at the organization? Everyone at the company was super friendly and helpful. I observed communication here amongst all teams, they also have regular meetings in the morning to catch up on the incidents that happened the previous day. My supervisor was always there for me. We had regular meetings and brainstorming sessions. He himself set an example to me by being so disciplined, so I learned a lot from him.
Was there a formal program for all interns at the company? Was peer support available throughout the internship? There were plenty of networking events for the 40 odd interns at the company, like picnics and outings. We also had lunch & learn sessions with leaders. Throughout the internship, HR always made sure that we were heard and would often check up on us to see if we faced any difficulties.
How have your career or academic goals changed as a result of this internship experience? My career plans haven't really changed as a result of this experience. My plan was to work in an AI related field, something that links AI and Mechanical engineering together. This experience just proved that I can also be successful in an environment where I had to use my CAD skills on a daily basis. So if at all, it keeps my options open.
What advice would you give other UMD engineering students seeking an internship or co-op position? I think the key is to keep trying and reaching out to people. I believe that you only get something when you ask for it. It is important to network with people, be confident with your skills and try and grab every opportunity to showcase it.
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