This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Applied Materials, where I worked on various design, build, and data analysis projects to enhance automation processes in manufacturing. A key focus of my work was on an automation robotics system, where I was responsible for validating its performance to ensure a positive return on investment.
To tackle this challenge, I chose to develop a comprehensive data processing application that grew to over 2,700 lines of code. The application featured an interactive user interface and a report generation tool, streamlining data analysis and highlighting key performance metrics. I designed it to be easily installed and used by authorized engineers, intending it to support recurring improvements to the system even after my internship concluded.
In addition to software development, I engaged in hands-on problem-solving by designing and 3D-printing custom robot-product interface brackets to facilitate the automation process. I also created procedural documentation to calibrate the torque bit on the robot, ensuring consistent performance. Furthermore, I conducted time studies to optimize the process workflow and updated the assembly documentation to reflect the latest changes.
Throughout my internship, I tackled several process improvement challenges, delivering crucial insights even under tight deadlines. This experience sharpened my technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. I had a blast and am excited to apply these skills to future projects!
I had the opportunity to work for MIC Group, a vertically integrated manufacturing company. As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern, I developed user-friendly assembly process documentation for a rotary actuator product line. This served as part of a training protocol to optimize new worker productivity and as a standardized procedural database to ensure quality objectives are met.
Due to the open-ended interpretation of my task to develop “product procedural documentation,” I thought intently about how to most effectively help floor workers develop a broad, detailed, and conceptual-level understanding of the assembly process. I encapsulated a high-level view of the assembly process by developing a series of edited SOLIDWORKS animations, captured all needed details and quality checkpoints with the development of step-by-step diagrams, and ensured a conceptual understanding by developing in-depth animated videos for particularly intricate procedures that contained both visual and auditory queues. I then developed an updatable internal site in which the documentation could be stored and viewed.
Working on this project has greatly improved my engineering skillset. Despite my natural inclination towards conceptual thinking, the meticulous curation of assembly documentation has significantly enhanced my ability to pay attention to intricate details. This skill is vital in engineering, particularly when developing solutions that have implications for safety or finances. In addition, I increased my SOLIDWORKS proficiency after using the program for 4+ hours per day, totaling 250+ hours. Next, I learned how to coordinate with different departments and the importance of effective communication when working to achieve project objectives. Lastly, I developed new techniques for effectively managing my time over a long-term basis using calendars and Gantt charts. Overall, this internship experience confirmed my deep-seated interest in analyzing a problem, developing a solution, and experiencing how my input tangibly benefits the company and the individuals within.
As a Food Service Worker, I engaged in a fast-paced concession stand environment in which thorough planning, effective communication, an ability to multitask, and fulfilling performance metrics amidst stressful situations were essential. I corresponded with patrons, cooked, fried, and completed preparatory work for dishes from the menu. In addition, I was trusted by my manager to lead the concession stand when she left the kitchen, record inventory, conduct spreadsheet analysis, document net food waste, and complete portions of the company balance sheet. During times when unfulfilled orders began to pile up, I enjoyed taking note of the resources available to me and thinking creatively to execute my responsibilities. Lastly, I received the Employee of the Month award for my tendency to proactively seek out the knowledge needed to quickly and effectively complete a diverse array of responsibilities.
Bay Area Crating Services is a company that designs and builds custom wooden crates to enable the safe transport of fragile items in both residential and commercial settings. In terms of residential work, I helped families move in and out of houses by building crates for items such as TVs, oil paintings, grandfather clocks, decorations, etc. For industrial work, I built larger crates used predominantly for transporting lab equipment and machinery. Overall, I enjoyed developing my tool-handling expertise (drilling, sawing, staple/nail gunning) that I could apply to build the crates. In addition, I enjoyed the challenge of planning out and executing different packaging strategies depending on each project's varying shape, dimensions, and material properties.