Senior Mechanical Engineering student Donovan Stockdale spent time working with Walmart in New Jersey during his internship. Stockdale credits Engineering Professional Practice for his experience.
During my time at Walmart, I got to experience many different aspects of the company that I never thought that I would get to take part in. I was based out of the Automation Engineering Department as an Automation engineering intern. My job focused mainly on the end-to-end implementation of a proof of stake project for the company. This project took place in New Jersey, which made it quite difficult to stay on top of since I was based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Through many Zoom calls and numerous trips to New Jersey, I was able to see my project through and was able to get it running before my internship presentation at the end of the term! (For those that are curious, my project is the conveyor belt that I’m standing in front of in the picture that you’re seeing.)
Throughout this process, I was able to learn about lots of different aspects of project management that I would have never had a chance to learn about otherwise. Some of those aspects included interdisciplinary team coordination through remote means, project tracking of large projects, and even the formal process of how projects like this start and finish over time. It was cool getting to see that and experience it first-hand.
I also had a chance to learn about how these fulfillment centers come to life and that process was an immense undertaking. That was especially apparent when I was able to sit in on design meetings that my manager held with the vendors that he was working with. The attention to detail needed to fully think through these places is insane and it was cool being able to see that in action.
Overall, this was a fantastic experience that I would not have been able to have without the help of the Engineering Professional Practice Office and specifically Suzanne Sawicki. I also wanted to thank my manager, Ethan Kincaid, for giving me a shot to work with him and the team at Walmart. He was essential in the success of my project, and I am eternally grateful to have received this opportunity from him. I also wanted to thank everyone else along the way, it was truly a great experience that I couldn’t have had without your help. So, to everyone involved, thank you!