The family environment at GE Appliances in Decatur, AL is phenomenal. Concerning the role of process improvement itself, I was able to apply my problem-solving mindset that has been developed in school to resolve real-world issues.
What I wish was different
No comment
Advice
Utilize all resources provided to you in such an internship. Each individual you encounter and work with possesses a specific set of skills and personal connections that can benefit you down the road.
1
One person found this helpful
Marketing Co-op
May - July 2019 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
I liked that I got to understand how a large business works and interacts within itself. Also, I was able to see different departments beyond just marketing. Every day was different and it was fast paced.
What I wish was different
Personally I wish I worked more with other interns.
Advice
Go to all the meetings you can and dive in head first, passion and a desire to learn is very important.
1
One person found this helpful
Technology Co-Op
January - April 2019 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
There was a co-op community that was established early on during the rotation. Despite what department you are assigned, everyone is very open to helping and giving engineering advice whether that's for the project you're working on or for future goals. Everything is also fast paced in that there will always be technically challenging projects or task that you will be assigned.
What I wish was different
N/A
Advice
Consistently ask questions in your first month. The company and technical diversity is very broad so everyone will always have answers or advice towards any question you have.
1
One person found this helpful
Consumer Insights Intern
May - August 2019 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
The opportunities, connections, and the field
What I wish was different
I wish I had gotten to work on more smaller projects rather than few bigger ones
Advice
Don't be afraid to speak your mind!
1
One person found this helpful
Financial Development Program Intern
May - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Through this internship program, I was able to learn about corporate finance firsthand. Each intern was given a project to work on throughout the summer; we presented our findings and solutions to the finance department and CFO upon the completion of the internship. I was able to meet a lot of people within the company and truly get a feel what the company was like and the culture of GEA. The program hosted atleast 10 company activities just for our intern class outside of work; these events were so fun to hang out with the other interns and get to know eachother outside of work! One of these events was sand volleyball with the interns!
What I wish was different
I wish I would have been able to have a preference on my project assignment for the summer!
Advice
I would recommend getting connected to as many people as possible within GEA from the get go. Many interns waited until the end to connect with other GEA employees that could really help them! Also, ask a lot of questions: your managers don't expect you to know everything. Get to know the people who work around you. It makes work fun!
1
One person found this helpful
Engineering Intern
January 2017 - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
I like the pay as well as the opportunity go learn that was provided. Amazing mentorship from the engineers around and real life work is given.
What I wish was different
I wish that the location was knocked florida but that’s it.
Advice
I would encourage people to get out their comfort zone and talk to the people around the company.
1
One person found this helpful
Technical Intern
January - May 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Great company with friendly coworkers. I learned a lot about how products go from the first prototype to the final product.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have seen every aspect of the company, but it is hard to do that in only one semester.
Advice
An internship experience is key to understanding how the knowledge you learn in school is applied to the real world. I have learned things from the work experience that I never would have learned in school.
1
One person found this helpful
MCL
May - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
The co-op role at GE Appliances was very independent. I was able to directly deal with suppliers and shippers. I also had complete control over my area and workers.
What I wish was different
I wish the hours were different. We worked from 5:30 AM to 2:30 PM. I'm glad I have had the experience in an early morning position, but I would not want to do it again.
Advice
Don't be afraid to take control over your position while in a co-op. My boss was very receptive to my opinions and supportive of my choices. It took longer than it should have for me to feel in control of my area.
1
One person found this helpful
Electrical Engineering Intern
May - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Working at GE appliances is a great way to strengthen your academic knowledge and develop your own industry knowledge.
What I wish was different
Advice
1
One person found this helpful
Supplier Quality Co-op
May - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Got to work with many people and functions across the business. Also got to work with other co-ops daily.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more 1 on 1 time with my manager early on in my rotation to understand the how and why behind many Supplier Quality processes.
Advice
Go into it with a learning mentality. Strive to learn how to do something new every day.
1
One person found this helpful
Co op
May 2018 • Lafayette, GA
What I liked
I really appreciate the hands on experience they have to offer. Great opportunity!
What I wish was different
Advice
1
One person found this helpful
Contract Sales Intern
May 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
The team I worked with and the work environment.
What I wish was different
Wish it was more hand on
Advice
Always ask questions and never be afraid to be wrong.
1
One person found this helpful
Co-op
August 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Pay, good company
What I wish was different
The union
Advice
Ask for work
1
One person found this helpful
Supply Chain, Advance Manufacturing Engineering
May - August 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
I enjoyed the people, environment, and the projects were interesting.
What I wish was different
More application of what I have learned in engineering.
Advice
Network, don't be afraid to ask for help
1
One person found this helpful
Design engineer co-op
May - August 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
It's great how they give you your own project to work on and they offer help and guidance along the way. It's a great way to learn how to be a real engineer.
What I wish was different
The team I worked on wasn't as social as previous teams I've worked with, but that's how engineering personalities can be.
Advice
The more organized you can be, the better. Once you start accumulating things, parts, cad files, documents, etc. it's important to organize before it gets out of hand.
1
One person found this helpful
Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
August - December 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Work given was interesting and not busy-work.
What I wish was different
There was a lot of downtime where I was stuck at a desk. Wish I had taken the initiative to seek out more work.
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask for help or work. There is always a task someone could use help with.
1
One person found this helpful
Technology engineering co-op
May - August 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
How it grew me as an engineer Beyond the classroom and let me apply my skills
What I wish was different
More personable interactions with co-workeda
Advice
To do an internship, it showed me how little class work means if you don't have the social skills to interact in the work place
1
One person found this helpful
Dynamics for global front load washing team
August 2017 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Really good pay, and awsome engineering experience. I got to sit in on meetings with global partners and learn about how teams from literally all around the world work together on 1 project. I got hands on experience in prototyping, doing proof of concept for new ideas, worked directly with the dynamics engineer on new innovative technology, and was allowed opportunity to do some of my own work on the team. I intend to return next summer.
What I wish was different
Nothing. I feel like i got one of the best co op rotations i could have gotten.
Advice
GE appliances has a very attractive Edison engineering program. You start off earning money right after school. Very good pay for a new engineer, and you get a free, no strings attached, masters degree over a 3 year period. You get to rotate through the park at that time doing things like range, refridgeration, washing machines ect. Which gives you a really broad experience range that could be used in any industry if you want to change jobs. It really seems like a no lose situation. I intend to apply for the Edison program Next summer following my summer co op rotation.
1
One person found this helpful
Finance Development Program Intern
May - August 2018 • Louisville, KY
What I liked
Seeing finances and operations of a manufacturing company of that size all the while being recently bought by a Chinese company was very interesting. The style in which the company was organized and operated was unique; there are several different 'functions' within the company that operate autonomously which creates a sense of freedom and innovation and cuts back on the reliance on executives to make change.
What I wish was different
I wish the intern managers would have given more of a directional approach to the interns. What I mean by this is the managers pointing their interns in the right direction and giving guidance in order for the intern to complete a task or their summer project. Although very hands off, which I prefer, there needed to be a better balance between giving guidance and letting the intern take initiative.
Advice
Take lots of initiative as an intern, it is important to meet and network with as many people as you can while you have your short experience - especially in a corporation of this size like GE.
