2 down. 1 Summer to go

My biggest concern for this summer was that it was going to mirror the end of my last session. After being back for a couple of days it seems not much has changed. So, my attitude is what must change. These last few days i've worked hard to keep from falling back into that groove by staying away from my desk as much as possible. My first day I couldn't even log onto my computer, so that was fairly easy. Will, last semester's coop, left me a sheet of projects for me to pick up where he left off, so after talking to some people and getting caught up to speed, I've started in on the projects myself.


 In starting this summer I've been using J.D. off of scrubs as sort of a model as an intern. It sounds funny, and perhaps like a bad idea, but let me explain.  J.D. is always bugging Dr. Cox with questions and such, and no matter how mean Dr. Cox is to him, J.D. still comes with questions. Now I don't have any mean coworkers like that (at least not yet), But the only way I am going to learn is by not being worried about bugging people. He always just puts himself out there and eventually grows into a competent doctor. Hopefully this will be the same. Last semester I was too scared to do much of anything. I wasn't sure what I could or could not do, so I didn't go anywhere near the line of where my job was. This semester, I'm going to try and push the bounds of what i'm "supposed" to do. If I get told not to do something, fine, I'll be more careful. I would actually be happy to hear that. But by being more aggressive like that I think I may actually measure up, in time, to be a competent engineer.

 One of the projects Will left for me is making name plates for the staff who has come since the last time nameplates were made. As boring as this may sound, it's actually really cool. Even though it's just a nameplate, It still has to go through the same processes as any other part. The best part is that defects don't really matter. So I am doing most of the work on them. Any mistakes can be chalked up as a learning experience. Worst case scenario, I have to do some over. So far, I was taught how to inject the part myself. Sure Kevin, one of the managers in the wax department set everything up for me and all I just pushed two buttons, but I still was able to stand at the machine and look cool. after they were injected, I then smoothed out defects and assembled the stuff needed for casting later down the line.

 Now, In the wax department, there are people who do all of the assembling of the wax. After doing my own assembling, I have developed newfound respect for these people. One of the ladies I was working with finished a nameplate in about a minute and it was about perfect. I spent 25 mins on mine and it still looked awful. Anyways, after much frustration and time I finally have one tree assembled completely, and I think it's about ready to move down the line. Tomorrow I'll have the ladies look over it for me and make sure it's ok to continue through. I'll try to see about getting some pictures of it as well. So, I've been trying to make myself get out more and work with the other engineers more. Right now this nameplate project is keeping me busy, and hopefully I can get involved in a real project before this one is completely done. I think if I work really hard on being involved and getting out there that this semester could go well.

 I want to connect more with my coworkers as well. I haven't done a very good job with that either. That's another thing that J.D. had, was close friends to hang out with. So these first two days have been pretty good. I'm actually starting to get excited about work. Having my own project is fun. I really want to get on another real project soon before these nameplates run out. I think that will make work much more meaningful.

 So if you would like to pray for me please pray for: Friends, Attitude, Energy, and projects