GE Aerospace

GE Aviation Supply Chain Co-op

September - December 2022 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

Similar to UD the GE Aviation Culture is something that is very special. It is very clear that even as an intern GE values you and supports the learning process. It is made sure you have a support network and GE provides many opportunities for personal growth. You feel empowered to show up to work your best every day and work on a team that is making a difference.

What I wish was different

Working at a non hub site in Dayton the onboarding process was too be desired. On top of this due to unfortunate circumstances I did not get assigned a proper project until the midway point in my rotation. Both of these are understandable and are not guaranteed to happen to everyone. Both of them ended being unexpected opportunities. Because of my poor onboarding experience I volunteered to be on a committee to better the onboarding process for future interns. With the lack of a project I had more freedom to explore other sides of the company that I might not have gotten to otherwise.

Advice

My advice to any oncoming GE Aviation intern is to be bold and get your name out there. GE Aviation is a great place to network even if you don't plan on making a career out of your co-op. Set up meeting with people in areas that interest you to talk about their career. Everyone is very understanding of what it is like to be an intern. The worst thing that will happen is they respectfully decline.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

EID Intern

January - May 2022 • Beavercreek, OH

What I liked

During my rotation, some of the things I liked the most were my co-workers, my responsibilities, and the location. Because I worked at a manufacturing site as an EHS intern, I met all sorts of different people, from salaried office workers to operators on the floor. This mixture of people provided me with the opportunity to develop my communication skills. I liked the responsibilities I was assigned because there was a variety of projects to work on and each one focused on a different part of the role. I liked the location because I was able to complete my rotation while still living on campus. It was convenient to be able to co-op during the year, yet not have to miss being involved in student orgs. Edit Aug. 4, 2023: 2nd rotation at GE in Lynn, MA: During this second rotation, I worked in the New Product Integration (NPI) department with a focus on inventory and standard work. I mainly processed through retired hardware to see what was salvageable for other development and production programs within the company, as well as streamlining the day to day tasks of the team using standard work. I enjoyed seeing a different side of the business that involved a variety of different skills, especially tactical planning and execution. I also really enjoyed the bigger size of the location because I was able to network with other intern much more than at my previous site.

What I wish was different

Although I ended up liking my position in EHS, I wish I would have had more of an engineering role because I felt like I did not use my MEE degree at all. It would have been a lot more interesting to be using what I had learned in classes the past two years and see it applied in the workplace. I also wish I got to work closer with other interns. There were a few other interns at my site, but I did not get to work with them, which I feel would have been a great learning experience. Even though I did not get to work with other interns, I had the opportunity to be a part of the company's Professional Development Committee for all interns, which provided some of the peer collaboration I was looking for. Edit Aug. 4, 2023: 2nd rotation at GE in Lynn, MA: One of the main things I did not enjoy about this experience was the span of the internship. It was very difficult to learn the systems used in my department in the short amount of time I was given. I also felt that the culture at this particular site was not as warm as my previous experience. Granted, it is a union site, which does change things, but overall I did not gel with the attitude as well. Also, I struggled because half my team was remote, and so it was difficult at times to connect with the team.

Advice

I would advise other students to be open to ANY opportunity that comes there way during the co-op process. I talked to GE at the Fall 21 career fair not expecting to get a job yet but was offered one, and so I ended up working here in the spring. Even though it is in EHS and not engineering, I have learned so much and gained valuable experience. GE Aviation does a fantastic job of providing interns with opportunities to network and learn about all areas of the company, so I would definitely recommend other students to work there. I especially liked how GE encouraged interns to talk with people across the company with meetings called "Get-to-Knows". These were helpful for me to hear about other jobs and fields. Edit Aug. 4, 2023: 2nd rotation at GE in Lynn, MA: I would advise a future intern to make the best of any situation you are placed in. I loved my location (Boston) and the other interns I met, but did not love the work I was doing. This can be discouraging at times, but just try to have a positive attitude when you can. Remember that knowing what you do not want to do is just as valuable as knowing what you do want to do. Internships are such valuable opportunities because you get to walk away from the role after a few months, regardless of how much you like (or dislike) it, so make sure to explore!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Operations Co op

January - May 2022 • Beavercreek Township, OH

What I liked

One thing I really liked about the DCC shop was how friendly everyone was. Both the staff and the operators took time to explain what they do and how it is important to the business. This really helped me acclimate into a new environment and made me feel comfortable asking questions. I also really liked being at a production plant because it opened the door to many hands on projects. If you like being where the work is done, I would recommend trying to work at a plant or a shop. There were also so many great opportunities for tours of other locations that were very fun and interesting!

What I wish was different

One thing that I wish was a little bit different would be the way projects were communicated to me. Personally, I am the kind of person who likes being told exactly what to do. During my rotation, there were some times when I was not sure what to be working on or doing. This prompted me to initiate conversations about projects with my supervisor. In a way this was probably helpful to me since being able to have those conversations with your supervisor is a good skill, but I wish I would have known that going into my rotation.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would give to someone going into this experience would be to go into it ready to take on a lot of projects. Being at a shop, there is always something to do and you need to take the initiative to ask for those projects and be ready to complete them. In addition to that, there are always things to do and people will ask you to do them, so you also need to be ready to help out others in the shop even if they are not your supervisor. This helps build relations with the staff and operators and overall creates a better experience. Another piece of advice I would give would be to plan out your finances before the rotation starts. If this is your first co-op, having a plan on how you are going to organize your income for various expenses is important.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Manufacturing Engineering Co-op

January - May 2022 • Beavercreek, OH

What I liked

One of the things that I liked the most about my role at GE Aviation was getting to work with 3D printing technologies that create the cores of high pressure turbine airfoils. My role allowed me to get a taste of life both in an office and as a steel toed engineer, exposing me to standard work processes and giving me the freedom to own trials and experiments ideated by the engineering team and I. One of the other things I really appreciated was their ability to listen to my concerns and opinions regarding difficult or high profile topics and acting on that advice. Another aspect of being a co-op at GE Aviation that I loved was our ability to tour numerous buildings and sites around the company, frequenting Evandale and West Chester and even Peebles. These site tours allowed me to grasp the scope of the GE business while also giving me the opportunity to explore the career paths available within the company.

What I wish was different

Something that I wish could have been a little different was the co-op onboarding experience. I felt that it took me a significant amount of time to figure out what it was that I needed to be doing or to get access to the right sites and sources to complete what was asked of me. This is something that I communicated with my team and consistently pursued when the issues came up, but having a tabulated list of all sites needed to be accessed by a co-op would have been helpful. To resolve this need, I have taken it upon myself to generate said list to leave for the next set of co-ops, something I hope lives past my time and helps numerous others. Otherwise, I felt that my time at GE was extremely beneficial in helping me hone in on the engineering field that I wish to pursue, which is the whole point of these experiences!

Advice

One piece of advice I would give regarding my experience would be to never stop asking questions. One of the things that I found was super helpful when I couldn't access data or files was to just keep asking questions about what to do next, how I could pursue the project from a new angle for the time being, and so on. Additionally, this allowed me to ask questions when I was stuck on a problem - being in a new shop environment, I was unaware of how certain processes worked, so asking people I had met on the shop floor was extremely helpful. Lastly, I was to expand on talking with the operators - never assume you know more than anyone. The moment you assume you know better than an operator, you begin to lose them with an idea you may have, or you may simply lose sight of what is actually helpful. Essentially, never seek to consider yourself smarter or better than anyone you work with, but rather always learn and grow from your experiences and the experiences of those you work with.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Environmental Health and Safety

May - August 2019 • London, England

What I liked

I liked being able to work in a stressful environment in a new culture. It was fun to learn different terminologies and mannerisms people had in London.

What I wish was different

I wish my manager gave me more of a direction. One project was beyond my scope and I needed more advice as to how to start it, however my manager left it up to me to figure it out. In the end, the project was not finished and my manager had a lot of constructive criticism as to how I should have gone about the project.

Advice

Ask questions! I was too nervous to ask question since I had worked at this company before and I thought I people around me had high expectations of me, but in the end I needed to learn as much as possible and the only way I was able to do that was by asking questions even when I thought they were silly.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Facilities Special Projects Intern

June - August 2019 • Norwich, NY

What I liked

Work environment was friendly yet hardworking

What I wish was different

More engineering type work

Advice

If you’re interested in learning how to run a plant, look into something like this

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Electrical Engineer Intern

May - July 2019 • Norwich, NY

What I liked

Great place to work at and everyone is really friendly

What I wish was different

Wish I had a bigger variety of projects to work on

Advice

Go out and make the most out of your internship!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Manufacturing Intern

June - August 2019 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

The work environment was very welcoming and there were many networking opportunities.

What I wish was different

I wish I could’ve gotten more experience in my major field.

Advice

Go into every job/opportunity open minded and don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain Co-op

January - May 2023 • Beavercreek, OH

What I liked

One of the things I liked most about this experience was the community within GE. At GE Aerospace, they make it a mission to make sure everyone feels welcome and a part of the team. Throughout my experience, I met a lot of new people and was able to network with other co-ops both during and outside of work which helped make the transition into a new company a lot easier. In addition, I enjoyed working on projects during my rotation which gave me a lot of responsibility and real world supply chain and manufacturing experience.

What I wish was different

One thing I wish was different about this co-op was the working hours. A typical day for me started at 7:00am at the office and ended around 3:30pm. While it was nice to get out of work mid-day, this schedule will definitely take a toll on you if you don't make it a point to get to bed early. These hours are a bit flexible and could change depending on your manager and your location so don't let this deter you from the company.

Advice

One piece of advice I would give to future co-ops is to not be afraid to ask for help or for another project. At a company like GE Aerospace, there is always something to work on and people who are willing to lend a helping hand. Also, make sure to schedule "Get to Knows" within the company. These are meetings where you can learn more about different parts of the company and what other people are working on. If you utilize these, they are great for networking and could help lead to a position pending completion of the co-op and graduation.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

EID Systems Engineering Co-op

August 2022 - May 2024 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

I recently completed my third and final rotation as a Systems Engineering Co-op with GE Aerospace. My rotations were in the Fall 2022, Summer 2023, and Spring 2024 semesters. Working for GE has been an extremely rewarding experience! Throughout my time with GE, I was given various responsibilities that not only helped me grow as an engineer, but also as a person. Some of the work I did over my three rotations include, process improvement tasks, LEAN initiative projects, performing tests on power control units, root cause analysis (RCA) on unit failures, New Product Integration (NPI) experience, manufacturing engineering experience, and much more. On top of engineering experience, GE Aerospace also provides an exceptional work culture. The people at GE are some of the kindest and brightest people a person can meet. I highly recommend any co-op candidate interested in aviation/aerospace to look further into the immense opportunities that GE Aerospace offers. During my time, I had the chance to experience many different sides of the engineering world, yet I can say confidently that I barely made a dent in the long list of experiences they offer.

What I wish was different

There isn't much to complain about when it comes to GE Aerospace, however I understand that I am just one experience out of many. There are many opportunities at GE. Therefore, this means that most of the time Co-ops/Interns are placed in a position and on a team that relates to their aspirations and their interests. However, sometimes Co-ops/Interns can be placed in teams that are outside their interests. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you're open to any opportunity or experience, but for certain individuals who have a set field/study/interest, this may be a downside. I will say that during my time at GE Aerospace, I completed several tasks outside my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering. These tasks were still beneficial to my development though, and most of the time I found them enjoyable. For other people, this may not be the case.

Advice

It took me until the end of my second rotation with GE to realize their emphasis on the mutual growth relationship they promote between themselves and their Co-ops/Interns. If you are offered a chance to Co-op at GE, its because they see a great potential in you. However, unlike some other companies, GE strives to make it a mutually beneficial experience. They want you to grow and to succeed, because that's what makes them succeed. They want to ensure that your experience at work is meaningful to you and that you feel fulfillment in the work that you do. In having this mindset, GE truly wants the best for its employees; in a way that is fulfilling for the employee and therefore beneficial for the company. It took me a while to realize this. So as a piece of advice to anybody seeking a co-op/internship with GE Aerospace, I say don't be afraid to ask for tasks that interest you. You may not always get them right away and you may have to do other tasks as well, but in my experience the people you work with and the company as a whole will help you complete fulfilling work that is meaningful to you. Just don't be afraid to ask for it.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Manufactoring Engeering Co-Op

May - August 2024 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

My role was very interesting and engaging. I supplied aid to both process and product engineers. While also conduction my own individual trials/studies. I had a good amount of creative freedom and really enjoyed the day to day work. Also the team I got to work with was very friendly and welcoming.

What I wish was different

I had previously been in this role with GE. I wish they would have assigned me to another position, so I could broaden my engineering background. I also wish the co-op interaction team was more geared to co-ops at other locations. Everything is very geared toward Cincinnati co-ops. As far as plant tours and other interactions.

Advice

Like any work experience your only going to get out what you put in. Do not do the bare minimum. Go above and beyond and show your coworkers what your capable of. Make sure to network and connect with the people in your work center.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain Intern

May - August 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

I like the size of GE. GE is big enough that they have a whole program and onboarding session for the interns which makes it super easy to transition into and get going from day 1. There is also a ton of other co-ops/interns so it is super easy to make friends and connect with people. They are also going through the same experience so it is nice to have others around who are going through the same thing. I also liked what I did as a supply chain intern and found that the work that was assigned to me was actual real work and not just busy work like interns sometimes find themselves getting. The work had a real impact and I feel like I learned a ton in general and about working a real job because of the experience GE gave me.

What I wish was different

As a whole, I think the experience was really good and beneficial for me. While I think they did a great job with the onboarding process, some of the computer set up can be a bit tricky and niche. So when it came to that, I would say that better control on the first day would have been nice. With that being said, they are getting some 400 interns going and starting on the same day. Asking for a smoother onboarding process than what I got seems unreasonable. But if I had to change one thing, I would want a slightly more transparent first day where you get some time in small groups as opposed to all crowding into a conference room type of thing.

Advice

I would tell other interns to put yourself out there as my piece of advice. There was a ton of interns in and around me going through the GE program. Talk with them and make friends with them. Some will be sitting by you in the office and it is easy to start there as you will see these people everyday. Also, GE does a great job at making sure interns have a ton of opportunities to see each other and hangout outside of work. They do all types of events and going to these and meeting your peers is definitely something I would recommend.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain & Manufacturing

January - May 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

During my rotation at GE, I was tasked with working through projects with a mindset of continuous improvement. I worked through current processes and looked to develop more efficient standard work. I love the team I worked with. GE has a wonderful company culture and employees foster a very welcoming and friendly environment. My hours were flexible- I could work from home sometimes/work more or less hours some days to accommodate my activites. My work was challenging and encouraged me to think creatively for unique solutions.

What I wish was different

It's hard to say that I wish something was different- I genuinely enjoyed everything from my work to the team around me. I was in a supply chain & manufacturing engineering role, but more of my work was on the supply chain side. I worked in Sourcing so more of my work was in an office location which meant I wasn't doing as much hands-on work. Depending on how you fill out a survey before your rotation will determine where you are placed, so make sure to fill that out honestly and keep in mind what you really want to do every day.

Advice

I joined a professional development committee and an intern creative team which enhanced my experience and made me new friends. I highly recommend getting involved in outside work sub-committees, going to co-op events, and talking to people around you in your office. If you clock in and glue yourself to your desk, you won't get much out of your rotation. Put yourself out there in your office and meet new people!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Engines Engineering Co-op

January 2024 • West Chester, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed the team I was assigned to as everyone was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I even hung out with some of my coworkers outside of work, which was interesting and unexpected. Additionally, the work was challenging and interesting where I applied what I learned in class to contribute to a real-world problem. What I enjoyed the most was the freedom my manager gave me and the clearly defined expectations.

What I wish was different

The way the internship was structured and some of the projects I was involved in. My projects fell into two extremes - easy busy work or difficult technical work. I understand that busy work is normal, but the blend should have been better. A lot of times I was sitting around waiting for something to do because you can extend yourself and ask for more, but you may be limited due to your inexperience and status as an intern. I.e., lack of access to certain systems.

Advice

When your manager reaches out to you try to understand the realm of what type of work you will be doing. For example, will you be doing heat transfer, stress, testing, controls, or whatever so you brush up on certain skills. This allows you to be proactive rather than reactive. Additionally, make sure to ask a ton of questions and connect with the people you work with. You will feel like an imposter but don't worry there is always someone who is able and willing to help you at GE Aerospace.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain Co-op

January - August 2024 • Springdale, OH

What I liked

A brief overview of my responsibilities: I worked on the lean team at ACSC, a repair and overhaul site for GE Aerospace engines. My main responsibilities were to use lean manufacturing principles to improve areas at the site. At this location I worked at I had the opportunity to work with many people, all of whom were very kind, respectful, and easy to get along with, this made working more enjoyable and asking questions easier. I was given many opportunities to expand my knowledge of lean manufacturing and its uses through training and hands-on experience. One example of this was getting the chance to be a part of a Kaizen team and be a part of the process leading up to the Kaizen week. Another aspect that I liked was when I was in a meeting they always listened to what everyone had to say no matter who they were and always took what they said seriously.

What I wish was different

One thing I wish had been different is knowing what I do now and being able to be more engaged in some of the meetings for example a VSA (value stream analysis). Another thing I wish that had been different would have been a better explanation of the actual parts that come through the site I worked at, because it took me a while to understand.

Advice

If you have any interest in any part of the company or different sites and what they do feel free to ask the people you work with. In my experience, the people I have worked with are more than happy to help you find what you like to do and what you are interested in. All that you have to do is ask and they will know how to get in touch with someone to get you the information you need they do have opportunities to tour other areas of the company to get a more immersive experience.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain Intern

January - May 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

I really enjoy the people I work with. You can tell most people are really passionate about what they do. Furthermore, they are happy to share knowledge with those who ask. Additionally there is a lot of interesting tech and machines in the shop that you can see in action. There are CNC's, plasma cutters, waterjets, 3D printers, and cranes everywhere. Hours are also flexible.

What I wish was different

The onboarding process was confusing and sluggish. It was hard to reach the onboarding website unless you had booked it or favorited the email. Additionally, we had two orientation days, one of which was filled with entirely useless information for the plant I'd be working at. More importantly, it seemed like my position didn't really require an intern and I was kind of stuck with the "intern jobs" I had repeatedly been promised I wouldn't have during the interview process. It took several weeks into my rotation before I was given anything meaningful.

Advice

Ask people around the shop if they need help. Ask your superiors or advisors if they need help. Don't just wait for work to come. Ask people in the shop to tell you about what they do I found that many are eager to share. Use this as an opportunity to learn and figure out what you do (or do not) want to do in your future.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain and Manufacturing Co-op

January - May 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

My favorite thing about this co-op was the opportunity for hands-on experience. During this rotation, I was able to learn about how a model line in a repair shop functions by seeing first-hand how parts go through the processes. This model line is the first one at my site, so there is lots of room for growth and change, and it has been very insightful seeing those changes happen and being able to create change. This experience has given me a great background in manufacturing processes and different operations. I have also been able to learn new skills like welding, using a CNC machine, and how to use plenty of other tools while working on projects for the site.

What I wish was different

There really is not much to complain about, I have had a great experience with GE Aerospace. If I am being nitpicky, I think the orientation process could have been better. All co-ops in my area attended one big orientation where we were given so much extra information that only applied to you if you were at the Evendale site. The following day, we had another orientation where we were given a lot of the same information. I think that process could be more streamlined, so co-ops do not have to sit through two full days of basically the same information.

Advice

One piece of advice that I would give about this experience, or any co-op experience is to not be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your co-workers about their role, what their past experiences have been etc. It is crucial to get to know the people who work around you and create a network. Also, do not be afraid to ask for more work if you find yourself bored. There is plenty to do and people around you can also connect you to a new project. Do not waste your time during a valuable experience.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

EID Intern

January - May 2024 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

During my co-op I was responsible for evaluating the performance of a temperature measurement device as well as developing dust sensors. The best part of this co-op was the opportunities I had to learn from others. Every person I spoke with, whether they were on my team or not, was willing to teach me something new about their projects. One of my colleagues would sit down with me every week to explain new technical concepts, as well as help me develop my career. Overall, there is a wealth of knowledge and people were happy to share when I showed interest.

What I wish was different

I wish one of my projects would have been a little more interesting. One project I worked on was very interesting and involved. Whenever we were waiting for parts to be delivered or experienced another delay, I worked on another project which was not as interesting. However, even though the project may not have been as interesting as I would have liked, I was still able to use the project as a learning opportunity. I had calls with our vendors as well as learned new coding and project management skills.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share is talk with as many people as possible. I was able to learn so much from talking to full-time employees who weren't on my team. Even talking to other co-ops in my building we were able to set up a weekly lunch where we all bounced ideas off each other and learned from each other. No matter how new someone is at the company, I was still able to learn something from them and their projects.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Engineering Engines Co-op

September - December 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

Similar to UD a major highlight of GE Aerospace is its culture. Everyone I encountered had a positive attitude that was inspiring and helpful. GE Aerospace is very excited to invent the future of flight and that attitude is infectious. It is a joy to work with people that enjoy what they do.

What I wish was different

Sometimes as a Co-op at GE Aerospace, there is a lack of work given to you. This, however, does not mean there is a lack of work to do. As a Co-op, you have to seek out projects to work on. For a first rotation, this can be daunting. However, if you go into the experience expecting this it can be a great exercise of assertiveness.

Advice

The best thing you can do going into a GE Aerospace Co-op is come with a hunger for learning. The first week especially you will be bombarded with new information. If you are not proactive in putting effort toward learning it can be easy to fall behind. However, if you come each day trying to learn something new you will leave the experience stronger than you entered.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Supply Chain Intern

January - July 2023 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

I was given ample opportunity to work on projects that truly impacted the factory. I was treated with respect and welcomed onto my team and the factory as a whole.

What I wish was different

Many of the products I made became obsolete due to employees changing roles so frequently. I wish more of my projects had a longer lifespan post internship.

Advice

You will not necessarily be given busy work. In order to enjoy your job you have to go out and find projects that you want to work on to continuously improve the company.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8