Student Stories
Mechanical Engineering Co-Op Story: Southwire
Grace James
Mechanical Engineering
What company did you co-op with and where are they located?
Southwire in Carrollton, GA
How did you identify and apply for your co-op? Are there any specific resources you used to find the opportunity (i.e. Handshake, career fairs, other recruitment events)?
100+ Women Strong resume book and career fair
What was the application process like?
It was super easy! I met with a recruiter at the career fair after they reached out to me from the 100+ Women Strong Resume Book. I sent a follow up "thank you" email after the career fair and filled out an application online. From there were 2 interviews- one with my manager and then the offer came! They were transparent from the beginning about pay, stipends, ect.
Tell us about your co-op experience. What types of tasks and projects did you engage in? Was there a particular project or part of the experience you learned the most from?
I was able to be a part of all Southwire engagements including lunch and learns, volunteer opportunities, and encouraged to join the women in manufacturing association. This rotation I have taken on a large project to complete a heat transfer analysis of a line. I get to incorporate what I learned about the plant last summer as well as information from classes like Thermodynamics and Computer Aided Engineering.
In what ways did this co-op help you prepare for your next destination after Auburn?
This experience has strengthened my soft skills and provided me with lots of networking opportunities.
In what ways did your coursework or other experiences at Auburn prepare you for your co-op experience? Are there specific topics or skills you learned from classes that you put into practice on the job?
Auburn prepared me for the time management and prioritization needed to complete tasks and projects on time. The projects the mechanical curriculum helps prepare for the collaboration of book knowledge and real-world application.
Do you have any advice for other students looking for co-op opportunities like yours?
Look for a company that invests in their co-ops/interns and allows them to take on engineering tasks and projects.