This past year has been foundational in shaping my academic and professional identity. From working on high-impact engineering projects to supporting first-year students as a Teaching Assistant, the experiences I encountered helped me clarify my goals and grow into the kind of engineer—and person—I aspire to become.

 

Summer 2024: Transition and Reflection

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While not as eventful professionally, Summer 2024 marked my first summer in the U.S. and provided a needed moment of stillness. I focused on academic preparation, built meaningful friendships, and re-centered myself after a long stretch of constant professional movement. It was a quieter chapter that helped prepare me mentally for what lay ahead.

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Fall 2024: Engineering on the Assembly Line at Mack Trucks

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Beginning on August 19th, 2024, I joined Mack Trucks (Volvo Group) as a Project Quality Engineering Co-Op. I worked on one of the company’s largest and most fast-paced projects to date, where I applied the 8D problem-solving methodology, implemented CAD-based solutions to assembly issues, and designed visual aids and poka-yoke systems to improve process clarity and accuracy. I also conducted torque-angle verification for critical joints and used Hexagon CALIPRI tools to measure CAB Gap and Flush dimensions with precision.

This experience gave me a front-row seat to the real-world complexities of automotive manufacturing and solidified my passion for the field. It challenged me to think critically, balance multiple priorities, and collaborate with skilled engineers who helped refine my technical and analytical abilities. More than anything, it gave me the confidence to pursue larger-scale engineering roles and helped me realize the kind of impact I want to make in the manufacturing world.

 

Spring 2025: Academic Rigor and Mentorship

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Returning to campus after two Co-Ops, I was faced with one of the most academically demanding semesters of my college career. The transition back to a full course load was intense, but my industry experiences gave new meaning to the theory I was learning. While the semester was stressful, it also marked the moment I began to truly identify as an engineer. I embraced the challenge, developed new study habits, and pushed myself to maintain high academic standards.

Simultaneously, I completed a pre-approved Honors experience by serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Engineering Design Thinking course. Grading weekly assignments for over 70 first-year students was demanding, especially early in the semester. After coordinating with my Lead TA, I gradually took on more responsibility, focusing on providing meaningful, growth-oriented feedback—something I had appreciated when I was in their shoes. This role strengthened my time management, deepened my communication skills, and allowed me to give back to the academic community.

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Looking Ahead: Vision and Next Steps

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Reflecting on this year, I’m proud of how these experiences have propelled me forward. I will be returning to Mack Trucks in Summer 2025 for another Co-Op rotation, where I hope to take on more advanced engineering challenges and contribute at a higher level. Looking further ahead, I plan to pursue a 6–8 month internship or Co-Op abroad beginning January 2026—ideally in Germany—where I can combine my technical expertise with my growing proficiency in the German language.

Academically, I aim to take on upper-level courses that will prepare me for roles in systems, manufacturing, and quality engineering. Professionally, I hope to build relationships with mentors, expand my network, and further explore how I can use my skills to improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality. Each experience this past year has brought me closer to the kind of impactful, globally minded engineer I hope to become.

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