First student earns Manufacturing Systems Undergraduate Certificate

Ted Sheehan was the first undergraduate student in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering to earn the Manufacturing Systems Undergraduate Certificate. Sheehan graduated in December with a degree in industrial and systems engineering (ISE).

The Atlanta, Georgia, native entered Auburn as a mechanical engineering major but decided to switch when he learned of the in-depth manufacturing classes and skills possible through ISE.

When Sheehan learned about the Manufacturing Systems Undergraduate Certificate, he decided to gear his class schedule toward obtaining the certificate.

“I was already having my graduation date pushed back a semester when it was announced that this certificate was available to undergraduates,” Sheehan said. “Once I learned this, I jumped on the opportunity to tailor my remaining classes to ensure I would earn it.”

Obtaining the 12-hour certificate opened his eyes to many industrial electives the college offers such as Systems Engineering and Control of the Manufacturing Floor.

“These classes turned out to be some of the most interesting classes I have ever taken,” Sheehan said.

Since graduating, Sheehan has accepted a position with Parker Hannifin as a lean development associate. He moves around the country every six months and leads a lean improvement in every new plant.

“After recently talking with my new supervisor, he mentioned in-depth how my Lean and Six Sigma Green Belt paired with the Advanced Manufacturing Certificate helped to make me a clear choice for the position,” Sheehan said.

The certificate helped him in his job search and gave him with extra knowledge that other engineers may not have.

Sheehan said ISE provided him with a great network of people with similar mindsets and helped him along his academic journey.