Silfex

Electrical Engineering Intern

January - August 2023 • Springfield, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed the environment here at Silfex! They really focus on helping their co-ops have the best experience and make sure that they are involved with projects. They also do monthly check-in presentations to see what you have been working on and some ways to improve your presenting skills. At the end of the semester there is a final presentation over what all you did during your semester, and this is presented to higher ups here at Silfex. Overall, this co-op has taught me so many new skills that will carry over to anything else I do the engineering field. I got to do a lot of experimental projects during my time here. Which included saving the company money when it came to some of the machining steps during the manufacturing process. I also got to work on trying to make the products dimensions closer to what the target measurements and variables are. Overall, I did a lot of experimental projects to help find more ways for the company to save more money. I also got to help qualify a new machine that they got in right before I started here and I have also been able to learn how to operate the machine and how it functions! I once again have nothing but good things to say about Silfex! My second semester with them was just as great as the first. This semester I was given more freedom to work on projects that fell more into my wheelhouse. I was able to work on creating new codes and programs for the engineering team to help them with pulling their data. I also continued to get to work on the new cell of machines that they recieved in January and do some more experimental projects with those. I also had the amazing opportunity to present to higher ups regarding the process review for the cell of machines that I had been working on with my mentor. This was a great experience for me, I was able to gather more confidence on the presentation side of the job and being able to explain the process that I have been working on for the past few months. I also got to present at the end of my term again over all that I have worked on this semester and how I have helped the company which has been super cool!

What I wish was different

Honestly nothing! I absolutely loved it here, almost everyone was super welcoming. And if you had a question pretty much anyone would help you answer it or they could point you in the direction of someone that would! Not much honestely! I have been able to ask so many questions but only after I have tried to figure things out on my own. Everyone there is so nice and willing to help!

Advice

Do not be afraid to ask questions. Don't just sit around waiting for someone to give you something to do! Go out and ask around to see if there is anything you can help with or if there is anything you want to learn and ask questions. It is so important at this job that you take the initiative to be productive and to find things to do. Ask questions, get your hands dirty. Just keep learning as much as you can! This is a learning experience and they are going to want to continue to have you back as long as you continue to show your interest and dedication to the job! Along with your hard work.

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Engineering Co-op

May 2023 • Springfield, OH

What I liked

Silfex is eager and ready to get its co-ops hands on experiences. This was prevalent in my first week where I was assigned on several different projects right off the bat. This gave me the opportunity to learn hands on about a certain part of the process and just be able to lead the charge and run with it. I felt like I was actually an important factor of the process and not just someone who would shadow everything he could. Although, the company is very flexible with changing focus on which project you are working on for a change of pace or a set of fresh eyes. During my second semester here, I was able to dive further into the industry and the engineering processes that I couldn't in my first semester here. During my latest semester at Silfex, I was able to operate with a special level of freedom. Since I had been with the company for two semesters previously, they were very lenient with me going ahead with other projects and not redoing a number of training and orientation events. I was able to hit the ground running and just jump into other projects without a hovering presence. The company was very trusting in my ability to operate.

What I wish was different

With the pandemic, there are certain limitations that can prevent certain experiences. A number of areas are still restricted to certain people and numbers, therefore it is not always the easiest to share ideas or ask questions. Furthermore, the department I am currently working in is in an odd situation, with one of my three supervisors out of the office for various reasons, be it paternity leave, marriage, etc. This is a rather unique situation, but things happen that do not let you have access to all of your resources. In addition to this, due to various amounts of red tape, a number of my projects were constantly being postponed. During my second semester here, I've had to do multiple run offs with a few companies that have had a number of hiccups where I wish the associated companies would be more cooperative with the processes.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share about this experience is to look for experience. There have been other co-ops that have not always gotten the amount of work they had wished for, thus wasting their time at their internships most of the time. There is always something to do and something to learn. Roaming the work floor and talking to the operators about their thoughts and experiences on their jobs and processes can be greatly beneficial. Being curious and sharing this desire with your supervisor can lead you to using your internship here to its full potential. After both of my semesters here, I would also advise future interns to interact and cooperate with the other interns. We are all in the same boat but a number of us work in other projects and departments that can help further both our experience and progress for the company.

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