GE Aerospace

Supply Chain Intern

May - August 2022 • Madisonville, KY

What I liked

I really enjoyed working in the aviation field and learning about the complex manufacturing processes required to manufacture turbine blades for a multitude of different engine programs. I liked the freedom to choose my own projects and apply myself in projects that I was interested in. I felt that I was able to make a difference and improve the manufacturing process at my site. The pay is also very good compared to other internship programs in the engineering field.

What I wish was different

I wish there was a more clear laid out plans for the projects I was expected to complete over the course of the summer. I was always having to chase down multiple different people trying to gain background information in order to start projects. However this did force me to learn more and take more initiative, which is good, but I think I could've been more productive and useful with a better plan. Lastly, I would've liked to have known my location assignment prior to signing and accepting the offer, but that's just how the intern program works.

Advice

My piece of advice would be to take as much initiative as possible. Your intern experience is what you make of it, so to get the most out of it you have to put your most into the experience. There are times when you're going to have to bother people to learn from them, and that will be uncomfortable. The struggle is how you learn and how you carry things over into your career.

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EID Intern

May - August 2022 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed the technical aspect of my role as an Applied Instrumentation Design Engineer a lot. I felt like there was always something to learn throughout this role. I also had an extremely welcoming team that were readily available whenever I had questions to ask. Furthermore, I appreciated the confidence my team had in me to get my work done effectively and efficiently.

What I wish was different

I think the onboarding process should be streamlined in order to ensure a smooth transition once the role starts. Waiting for access to certain programs and hardware sets interns back in the work they are doing. Since we are only in these roles for a short period of time, it would be beneficial to have these accesses as early as possible. I also think more consistent work would be helpful, as there were times when I felt I had little to do, and other times where I was overwhelmed with work.

Advice

I would start by saying that this is a role that takes a person who is excited to learn. Consistently ask questions and try to dig deeply into the technical aspects of instrumentation, as there is a lot to learn. Take advantage of your facility, as you have the opportunity to see pretty much the entire process by which parts move across the floor and get tested in different test cells. Finally, I would say have fun, nobody likes being rigidly professional all the time, get to know your team outside of just their jobs, network and grow.

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EID Intern

June - August 2022 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I really liked the independence they gave me. I was able to go out and ask for work, and they would give me work that I would be capable of and gave me training on various equipment. It was really nice learning new things, and my favorite thing would have to be using their new X-Ray. I worked with two teams, Materials and Components, but each one had plenty of work for me, and it was great having a variety of tasks. I love that I got to work on two projects with reports, it gave me plenty of experience with how GE operates and is always caring for their product.

What I wish was different

I wish they offered a meet and greet with other interns on-site. We were all sort of spread out, and it would've been nice to meet people and form those in-person early on. It would also be nice to have events set up similar to those in Lynn and Cincinnati/Dayton, my site really didn't have anything, and I would've loved to participate in those events, but that's usually up to the Professional Development Committee. But overall, I had a great time with some great teams.

Advice

I would say don't be afraid to look for work, they're more than happy to give you something. Don't be surprised if a simple task turns into a whole project, because that's what happened to me, but it was great to see the initial beginnings and see it through to the end with the report. Don't find just one task to do, because it can quickly get boring, unless you're the type of person that enjoys focusing on one. I like doing one thing for a bit, then taking a 'break' from it by doing another task, that way I can finish two tasks around the same time, but be sure to not overload yourself.

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NPI Lab Assistant

May - August 2022 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

I worked alongside a very knowledgeable team of engineers, and all of them helped to create a productive, yet relaxed environment. They always made themselves available for any questions I had and offered feedback on various tasks I was given. Even though they had much more experience than me, my colleagues were always very respectful and showed genuine interest in what I had to say. Additionally, I was given plenty of projects throughout my rotation, many of which forced me out of my comfort zone and helped me to develop a handful of new skills.

What I wish was different

The onboarding process throughout the first couple of weeks was tedious at times. Many computer programs and rooms on-site required special access, which took a little longer than expected to set up and receive. It would've been helpful to have a thorough list of what I needed to request so that I could jump straight into work as opposed to waiting around for clearance. Also, I would've liked to have had a better idea of the purpose behind some of my work. Since so many people were working on the same project at once, it was difficult at times to understand the larger goal of the group and how my specific role impacted others.

Advice

Be open to communicating and interacting with others, especially when you need feedback. At first, I felt intimidated to ask my coworkers for help, but I quickly realized this was only holding me back from growing in my role. By opening up and reaching out to others nearby, I was able to learn a lot and leverage their talent to help accomplish my tasks faster. I think my coworkers also appreciated me reaching out because it demonstrated that I was eager to learn.

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Engineering Co-op

May - August 2022 • West Chester, OH

What I liked

I especially liked the number of tours and events hosted to expose us as co-ops to the rest of the company. They served as a great experience as well as a great networking opportunity. One of my favorites in particular was the tour of the engines testing facility in Peebles Ohio. I think that this really helped me to know what is out there as well as show me how my work can impact other parts of the company.

What I wish was different

I wish that the company how more work ready for me to take on. When I first arrived at work there were one or two very small tasks that were passed along to me otherwise it seemed like it was up to me to find my own work that I could do. This created a very slow first 2 months. I also wish that more people were required to come into work because especially as a co-op without a company phone, it is very hard to work with people who are not there.

Advice

My one piece of advice going forward is do not be afraid to branch out beyond your group. There is always lots to be done you just have to find the right people and the only way to do that is to reach out. After I started bugging what seemed like everyone in the company, I started getting some meaningful work that has certainly had a positive impact on me. Most people are nice and are happy to have your help.

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Aviation Quality Engineering Co-op

May - August 2022 • West Jefferson, NC

What I liked

GE Aviation does a great job and giving their co-ops meaningful work that has a direct impact to the business. Throughout all of my rotations I have experienced that people at GE want to help each other succeed, this is very evident in the openness to answer questions, pass on best practices, and listen to new ideas. I have enjoyed working on rotating hardware, which are very critical components of our engines.

What I wish was different

Although the work is very meaningful and impactful at times there can be a lack of work or down time between projects. This can be a function of many things, but personally I thrive in a fast passed environment with lots of tasks and a wide variety of responsibilities. I fully understand that it is tough to bring someone up to speed with day to day operations and tasks within 12 weeks, but if you have a constant rotation of co-ops through that role that can pass along the day to day tasks they will never fall to the rest of the team. This is just a thought I have had across my rotations.

Advice

I have learned countless things through my work experiences, but there are three pieces of advice that I offer to anyone who asks. First, ask questions, whether that be to your mentor, boss, senior leadership, or the technician on the floor by doing this you not only educate yourself but also can provoke thought within them. Second, listen before you speak, I think this is an extremely valuable trait to master especially early in your career, chances are whoever you're interacting with knows more than you and that is ok but take it as a chance to learn and fully understand what they are conveying to you prior to speaking out your own thoughts or opinions. Lastly, do not be afraid to take risks, I do not mean be reckless and thoughtless but rather do not be confined to the norms try to ask why and push what is possible because you might just think of something remarkable.

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R3560419 GE Aviation Systems Engineering Intern - Summer 2022

May - August 2022 • Vandalia, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed being able to learn and get my hands on different parts of the aviation business. It opened my eyes to the corporate experience within a large company. Additionally, I really enjoyed the many shin work and out of work events that GE put together. They really allowed all of the interns to see other facilities and parts of the business that wouldn't normally be available. Lastly, they allowed interns to meet and network both with each other and full time employees throughout the company.

What I wish was different

I wish I would've have received some more work and maybe more important work. At the end of my term I ran out of tasks and projects to complete. Additionally, some more assistance from my assignment leader and other individuals in my team would've helped me out more. These factors did force me out of my comfort zone to contact other individuals from my teams and others to get more work. It also gave me time to set up sessions to get to know others and connect with people at GE Aviation.

Advice

Be sure to take advantage of all intern events and opportunities. GE does a fantastic job of having events that include both interns and full time employees. These are always accessible and a great opportunity to network and figure out what other people do and their roles within GE. Almost all fulltime employees at GE are always there help out and sit down to talk about their positions if you are interested. In addition, make sure to go out of your was to make connections and set up Get-To-Knows with other people whether they are interns or full time employees and be sure to ask questions.

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Engines Engineer

May - August 2022 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

I enjoyed learning new topics. I was doing software development and I had never used many of the languages and frameworks the application I was working on used. It was also great to get familiar with working in an office and engineering environment. Actual engineering and collaboration is much different in the classroom, so I'm glad I got to have the office experience. It was also great to be able to network with actual engineers and see what their career paths have been. I liked that I wasn't constantly being hovered over and watched, it made me feel more confident in what I was doing.

What I wish was different

Communication was subpar. I had to wait days to get a response from someone, if I even got a response. I realize that full time employees have their own jobs to attend to, but some wouldn't respond to simple questions I had. The office environment wasn't quite what I was expecting--I thought it would be a lot more collaborative, but it's just a bunch of cubicles and everyone seemed to work independently for most of the day. I also wish I could've explored the electrical engineering side of things more since I would like to work on computer hardware for a career. I enjoy programming, I just didn't want it to be my main job focus.

Advice

If you want people to help you on projects, you really have to bother them to get a response. If you're stuck on a problem with your project, you might have a lot of downtime in between responses from your team. It might be a good idea to get two or three projects going so that you aren't bored waiting for responses. I was working on my projects alone without other interns or even full time employees on my team, so it's important to reach out to people if you're stuck.

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Aviation Systems Engineering Intern

June - August 2022 • Dayton, OH

What I liked

I worked as a testing/manufacturing engineering intern. I enjoyed many aspects of my internship, including my colleagues and my assignment. I worked with a very supportive team, and I always felt included and involved. One colleague I worked with in particular was especially supportive and became an electrical engineering mentor to me. Also, I enjoyed the hands-on skills I gained from my assignments that will help me succeed as an electrical engineer.

What I wish was different

I wish the onboarding process was easier. When I extended my internship from my past role to my current role at a different location, I was not included in the intern emailing lists I had been included in before. As a result, I missed important emails and was unaware that I was missing them. Also, I had issues obtaining the badge access necessary to access areas of the lab I was working in.

Advice

Make the most of every opportunity and ask questions. From my experiences, everyone has been eager to answer questions and teach me about the topics at hand and more. Also, know the way you best stay organized and make sure to manage your time on projects. I was given multiple projects to work on at once, and staying organized and writing down my priorities have helped me manage them.

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GE Aviation Systems Engineering Co-Op/Intern

January - August 2022 • Vandalia, OH

What I liked

I worked as a Product Support and Services Engineering Intern at the Vandalia, OH, site, and there were so many things I liked about it. For example, I liked that my supervisor was actively engaged. She met with me regularly so we could discuss my projects and so I could voice any thoughts or questions I had. I also like GE’s culture of encouraging questions. I never was made to feel ashamed or embarrassed when I asked simple questions; my questions were appreciated and encouraged. Additionally, I liked how GE has an established networking system that makes it easy for interns to meet with other engineers and expand their professional network. I met with so many amazing people who had helpful insights to share. I also liked having formal and informal mentorships for professional development, technical engineering development, and more.

What I wish was different

I wish the onboarding process would have been quicker and easier. As part of the onboarding process, co-ops/interns have online tasks they have to fulfill before their start date. Some of the tasks included answering questions and surveys about their experiences preparing for the co-op internship in a variety of ways. I arranged to live at home and drive to work each day, so answering questions about the moving process to fulfill online survey requirements was not applicable. I wish I could have answered more questions about topics that better applied to my situation. Overall, I wish the surveys part of the onboarding requirements would have been more tailored to each possible housing situation, especially for those living at home.

Advice

One piece of advice I would like to share about this experience is to really take advantage of the opportunities available. For example, take advantage of the networking opportunities available because there are so many amazing people to meet and so many things to learn from them. I know so much more about the professional world and electrical engineering from the networking sessions I have had. Also, take advantage of the mentorship opportunities. I had a couple mentors, and they were incredible in really investing in teaching me and empowering me to become the best engineer I can be. Overall, to get the most out of your co-op/internship, you have to invest in it by taking hold of the many opportunities it has to offer.

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EIC Intern / Co-op

September - December 2021 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

I worked at the GE Aviation ACSC repair facility in Springdale, OH. My co-workers were very nice and easy to get along with. They were always willing to explain a process or concept that was new to me, and on most days the work place at ACSC is very relaxed with little to no micromanagement for co-ops. I feel that people in ACSC are free to be very genuine, and do not have to adhere to many workplace formalities. This made it easy to have conversations and any nerves quickly dissipate. It was nice to get an inside look at how expensive engine parts are handled, and there was always something new to learn about the processes that parts go through. I also thought it was nice that my assignment leader had periodic meetings with me.

What I wish was different

At times I felt the details of the projects I was given were not fully understood by those who assigned the projects to me. I was often told by employees who I was referred to that the tasks I was assigned to were out of the scope of an intern--sometimes they even seemed out of the scope of the employees themselves. Some of the things I was doing seemed temporary and redundant. When I was given a new task, it was often very hastily explained in a way that seemed too abstract for a new co-op. I think it would be useful to be as concrete as possible with co-ops assignments; establish a clear vision of what the end goal for the project should look like and/or accomplish. Overall, I would say ACSC needs to prepare better for new interns before they arrive at the plant, improve on providing co-ops basic and comprehensive information to understand important repair/ACSC processes, and be much more formal and clear about co-op responsibilities.

Advice

If you are a new co-op ACSC, take notes frequently. There are a lot of acronyms.

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Digital Technology Intern

May - August 2021 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

- Modern Technology - Worked on a meaningful project - Great mentorship from senior developers - Company culture is moving in the right direction - Digital Technology program overall is run very well - My manager was great

What I wish was different

I wish more people would have come into the office. My team only went in one day a week so I felt a bit disconnected.

Advice

Go out of your way to meet people. Set up one to ones with as many people as you can.

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Supply Chain Intern

August 2020 • Louisville, KY

What I liked

I enjoyed my learning experience at GE and it was the best opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing , Finally it was a very friendly environment to work at.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

GE is a learning experience not just a company.

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Mayor's SummerWorks Intern (Manufacturing Production Worker)

June - August 2020 • Louisville, KY

What I liked

I got a lot of hands-on experience working both on the factory line and with the engineering team. When on the factory line, I was able to immerse myself in the manufacturing process and see things from another perspective when talking with the team.

What I wish was different

The hours were kind of rough [6:00 am - 3:30 pm] and the managers weren't the best in all honesty.

Advice

Don't be afraid to watch the manufacturing process quickly and give recommendations on how it could be improved!! I made a few small changes in my time there to the control systems set in place given the permission of the team.

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Mechanical Engineering Intern

January - April 2020 • Schenectady, NY

What I liked

I liked how hands-on the experience was and that I was able to complete projects that were meaningful to the company.

What I wish was different

I wish I had known more information before I started.

Advice

I would definitely be sure to talk with as many people as you can because the people that work there are super knowledgeable and helpful, so you can learn a lot from them.

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Industrial Engineering Intern

June - August 2020 • Cincinnati, OH

What I liked

This internship was during COVID-19, and thus it took place virtually. A lot of my peers had gotten their internships rescinded or cancelled, but I really appreciated the fact that GE made the effort to continue this summers program online. They did a good job of finding platforms to host networking events, spent a week introducing us to GE's culture, and presented their missions and values at GE in depth so we could get a feel for the company.

What I wish was different

Apart from obviously wishing the experience was in person, because nothing can fully replace that, I wish we had more project-based time instead of just virtual leaning and simulation-type projects. Towards the end of the internship we were given an actual GE aviation project regarding an NPI (new product introduction) and we had to put into practice the entire decision making process as well as manufacturing and production, analytics skills, facilities layout, product pricing, market analysis, cost-out, reporting, etc. This was by far the greatest take away of my internship and I wish we had longer, would have started from the beginning on this, or could have gone even more in depth.

Advice

It is really important to network and connect with people that you work with while you're there. The people really make such a difference - whether it is in person or virtual. If your team's ideologies or way of working isn't working for you, it will only lead to conflicts or you feeling tired at the end of the day, but when you find a good team that fits with you you'll feel so energized to take on projects and get work done! Also, explore all the resources that your internship may have to offer! GE for example has classes that are free to employees that teach you workplace fundamentals such as turbofan engine design, thermodynamics, lean manufacturing and more!

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Indirect Sourcing Intern

June 2020 • Portland, OR

What I liked

I like that my team and the people I worked with were very supportive. I learned a lot from them and they made this a memorable experience.

What I wish was different

I wish that it was in person instead of remote since it was a lot harder to connect and network when you are not in person.

Advice

I have learned how to manage my time since I was working with different regions of the world, be more flexible, adaptable and to not be afraid to ask question.

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Field Engineer

January - May 2020 • Wilmington, NC

What I liked

There was significant hands on experience and various training courses to prepare you for the work. I got to travel to several different states including North Carolina, South Carolina, California, and Pennsylvania. Everyone was incredibly helpful and kind. A questioning attitude was greatly encouraged.

What I wish was different

I wish there hadn't been a pandemic

Advice

I would say definitely be prepared to work both mentally and physically. There are a lot of challenges handed to you to get your mind working and some of the work requires physical labor. To be a part of the field services program, you had to be involved with one of the many outages for the nuclear reactors GE services and that requires you to be on your feet and moving a lot.

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Digital Technologies Intern

May - August 2019 • Niskayuna, NY

What I liked

I had a great experience working for GE over the summer. I immediately felt like I was a part of the team and my ideas were always considered and taken as seriously as those of full-time employees. I learned a ton about how a corporate company runs and how projects are carried out within it.

What I wish was different

Personally, the only hardship I faced was the fact that there was only one other UI/UX designer that I was working with, and he was a contractor. I would have liked to see how the team functioned with an in-house designer or two who were always there to bounce ideas off of. I think GE Research could benefit from having a UI/UX designer as a full-time employee.

Advice

This was my first internship experience, so I had no idea what to expect. I was overwhelmed at first when we immediately jumped into a project, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the inner workings of the company and how to better present myself and my work. I was able to showcase what I've learned from my college education so far, which greatly increased my confidence.

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Supply Chain Intern

June - August 2019 • Rutland, VT

What I liked

Personally I enjoyed the variation in the type of work I was able to do during my short time there. Working at a plant that created airplane Airfoil Blades from start to finish, I was able to be involved with engineering tasks such as quality control or process management for all stages of the blade as it went from initial forging up to final machining. It was great not only seeing the kind of work put into creates the airfoils but also meeting the people that made it all happen.

What I wish was different

I would have preferred to have been given longer projects since the majority of my responsibilities was addressing small issues confined to a single process, these usually took about a week long to wrap up. I think that a larger project would have allowed me to have more of a sense of ownership as make more impactful changes.

Advice

Take the initiative and seek opportunities to work and learn. During the first few weeks of my internship I found I had a lot of down time between projects, and it wasn't until I made a conscious effort to go seeking work that I realized there was so much more that I could do. It is an internship after all, so it's a good idea to seek chances to learn and gain experience at any point you can.

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