- Major: Biomedical Engineering
- Company: Procter and Gamble (Summer 2020) and Boston Scientific (Summer 2021)
- Graduation Year: May 2022
- E-mail: nbeautz@vols.utk.edu
Profile
Baltimore, Maryland
I worked for Procter and Gamble as a manufacturing / physical distribution engineering intern during the summer of 2020. I was on site in Lima, Ohio at one of their fabric and home care manufacturing plants. My work related to a reduction in effort and touches, plant savings, and reaching perfect quality goals in the flavors and fragrances department. During my internship, I eliminated losses and challenges on the production floor and in the manufacturing process. I created new work process improvements, standards, and performance qualifications, as well. I also worked for Boston Scientific as a quality engineering intern during the summer of 2021. I was on site in Minneapolis, Minnesota at one of their medical device manufacturing plants.
My projects focused on five medical device products manufactured on site in the thrombectomy and wires assembly (TWA) business unit. TWA includes the production of catheters, guidewires, and other interventional cardiology devices. During my internship, I initiated assurances and process controls, applied lean business practices to solve quality issues, and investigated nonconformances to determine actions and preventative measures on the production floor.
Internships and co-ops give real world experience as an engineer to solve issues and apply concepts learned in class. You are given the opportunity to understand the structure and foundation of a company before you decide to work full-time for them. I learned valuable knowledge about other positions and departments within the company that I could potentially work in. As an engineer, there are endless possibilities for career paths. Interning guided me to the area and role that would be a great fit for me in the future. Instead of blindly applying for any type of engineering position, I now have a good idea of what interests me and what I want to work as after college.
One of my achievements over the twelve weeks I spent in Minnesota working with Boston Scientific was being a quality manufacturing line leader. I was the direct contact for the technician team creating and developing a specific guidewire. In this leadership position, I had to find the root cause for issues occurring on the manufacturing line and resolve the issue in a timely manner. I then reported at two daily meetings on incidents that occurred and the action plan. Throughout the line ownership, I had daily responsibilities and reacted quickly to issues. I got to see a glimpse into one of the main requirements of being a quality engineer and prove that I was able to be successful in the position. Out of all of my college experiences, I believe interning has prepared me the most for succeeding after college. Academically, I was able to relate concepts and problem solving skills directly to problems I faced at work. Knowing that what you are learning in class will be used in your future job gives a greater incentive to pay attention and learn the most that you can while in school. I also grew tremendously, professionally, by gaining skills to network, collaborate within a team, and speak publicly often. I feel better prepared to apply to jobs that relate to my major and know I will be interested in. I was able to start career planning and looking into positions to which I want to get promoted in the future.
I encourage all students to apply for internship and co-op opportunities. It is a great way to not only grow academically and professionally, but also socially. I moved to two completely new areas for my internships and was able to establish a network and support system within a couple of months. I was able to explore new areas of the country that I otherwise might have never gotten to see. The key is to be open to relocation for the job and meet as many people as possible. I know that the friendships and mentors I made during my internships will be lifelong and always willing to give me advice. The internship experiences I had were unforgettable and I urge everyone to try to move to a new area for the short amount of time you get to work.
Outside of working as a professional practice ambassador and undergraduate research assistant in the cardiovascular biomechanics laboratory, I am actively involved on campus. I am the President for the Biomedical Engineering Society and also the President of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a professional and social STEM sorority. In my free time I enjoy reading leadership books, listening to podcasts, and doing anything outdoors. I enjoy hiking, exercising, and playing softball and volleyball.
