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Julie Martin |
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Participants |
For the past three summers, I have been able to work in research and engineering were I was a member of the laundry development team. In 2001, I completed my first internship with Whirlpool. I was a member of a global developmental team for an innovative non-aqueous cleaning machine. As part of the team, I completed Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Corporate Product Safety training. With this training, I assisted in executing a safety audit of the machine. However, my main role on the project was to assist in developing the initial fluid reclamation system for this machine. This system utilized a complex filter system along with distillation to obtain the required purity needed to reuse the fluid. In 2002, I returned for my second summer in laundry development. I again joined the non-aqueous cleaning machine development team. To become a better asset to the team, I completed Hazardous Operations (HAZOP) training. I was also introduced to Operational Excellence (OPEX), Whirlpool’s version of Six Sigma Black Belt training. Using OPEX, I was able to evaluate and develop design of experiments to determine prototype performance factors. In addition to being a member of the development team for the non-aqueous machine, I was also assigned other projects. One of the side projects was to assess sensor technology to address the ideal fabric care process. Another project was to assist in developing a new dryer platform. In 2003, I returned yet again for my third summer in laundry development. This summer my main project involved electrochemical activation in a nontraditional cleaning regime. I was able to further develop and utilize six sigma skills in developing test plans and analyzing results of the cleaning regime. I also developed a measurement system for the regime and performed an Measurement System Evaluation (MSE) to verify accuracy. This past summer, I was also able to gain supervisory experience. I supervised and directed two high school interns in their projects and daily tasks. Additionally, I served as a mentor to new summer interns to Whirlpool. My experiences at Whirlpool have helped tremendously in developing myself as a professional engineer. Not only did I gain experience in chemical engineering, I gained experience in a variety of fields that engineers deal with on daily basis such as marketing, logistics, designers, and contractors. This experience has helped me to become a well-rounded engineer and to see the “bigger picture” of engineering in a corporation. |
This past summer, I had the
opportunity to intern for the third time with Whirlpool Corporation at the
world headquarters in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Whirlpool Corporation is
the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances,
with annual sales of over $11 billion, 68,000 employees, and nearly 50
manufacturing and technology research centers around the globe. The
company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and
other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries.