<p>Okay, so as the title says, my job is boring!! I am an EE, I have a good GPA, and am used to working my ass off during the academic semester. For the past 2 months, I've been doing my first co-op rotation. I work in Refrigeration currently (that might give you a hint as to where I work :)). I would have liked to work in Electronics but this where they put me. At first, I was really excited and willing to do whatever they wanted me to do (grunt work or otherwise). I figured down the road I'd be given more advanced work to do. So far, all I have done is mindless brain-dead testing with subpar equipment and taking measurements to make sure parts are 'six sigma'. I see the relevance, but my engineering knowledge is not being put to use and I am not seeing anything new or innovative. It is really very boring. All we do is buy parts and put things together and test, test, test. There is some design (modifications), but it's usually something along the lines of change this number and we'll let the guy in India fix the actual drawing. The actual design phase has been long since over (before I got here). </p>
<p>There's going to be a co-op presentation in 2 months and I'm supposed to present what I have done. My team knows this and they want me to do something meaningful (even though they have given me nothing meaningful to do). When I ask for assignments, they throw at me some grunt work that does not matter in the long run, would never be implemented, and would not be presentation-worthy. I've never been a fan of homework (I used to be very lazy as a matter of fact), but at times I have resorted to reading old engineering textbooks to keep my mind fresh on stuff I feel I need to hold onto. In short, this has been a very non-educational experience. Most of the work is MechE work, and very, very dull.</p>
<p>There's going to be a co-op presentation in 2 months and I'm supposed to present what I have done. My team knows this and they want me to do something meaningful (even though they have given me nothing meaningful to do). When I ask for assignments, they throw at me some grunt work that does not matter in the long run, would never be implemented, and would not be presentation-worthy. I've never been a fan of homework (I used to be very lazy as a matter of fact), but at times I have resorted to reading old engineering textbooks to keep my mind fresh on stuff I feel I need to hold onto. In short, this has been a very non-educational experience. Most of the work is MechE work, and very, very dull.
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<p>BURN! </p>
<p>I think, in your presentation, you should use the word 'we' a lot. this will allow you to take credit for the work of others.</p>
<p>OP, was this a comment, or a question...? Kinda sounds like you're doing everything that we would suggest that you do to improve the situation. Maybe this experience will just serve as a warning against eventually working for them on a more permanent basis.</p>
<p>sounds like my experience in engineering internships...</p>
<p>interns aren't given a lot of responsibility, even guys that just graduated from college don't get a lot of responsibility. Other people's work is just as likely to be as boring and as useless. But you did learn stuff, you don't think u did, but u did, even if it's just about learning how to conduct yourself in a professional environment, u just have to think...</p>
<p>Actually you should always make sure to look for an internship/coop where youll be doing something meaningful. Always try to find out what youll actually be doing once you become and intern/coop. All engineering internships are not boring....</p>
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Actually you should always make sure to look for an internship/coop where youll be doing something meaningful. Always try to find out what youll actually be doing once you become and intern/coop. All engineering internships are not boring....
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<p>I agree with this, but at the moment, I am bored out of my mind ~_~ Should have gone to work for a smaller company..</p>
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Are you in University of Waterloo by any chance, hasuchObe?
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<p>Nope~</p>
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OP, was this a comment, or a question...? Kinda sounds like you're doing everything that we would suggest that you do to improve the situation. Maybe this experience will just serve as a warning against eventually working for them on a more permanent basis.
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<li><p>Have you gone up the management chain somewhat? As in who is your supervisors lead? Do that with a positive suggestion. </p></li>
<li><p>Perhaps a good idea to re-read texts, but have you thought of digging out current periodicals on your test .. um subject (either test item or test procedure)? Can you get a fresh idea out of one of them to make a proposal to make testing go faster? If so, take it to your team lead and ask to present up the management chain. Faster tests means more time to do other fun stuff. And faster means money and money talks in companies.</p></li>
<li><p>Look around and see who near you is interested in whatever they are doing... get them to show you/teach you.</p></li>
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<p>Yes, testing can be boring. Yes, interns are used for grunt work. And one valuable lesson here is that you can make your own job, either do what they want quickly (and well) so that you have time to delve into "other stuff", or make what you are doing shine.</p>
<p>Most companies that accept co-ops or interns really want the person they pick to learn and succeed. These jobs cost them money .. really! And so you have to find out who fought to get the program in place and find out their vision of what you could learn/do... and do that!</p>
<p>In the real world (I almost said IRL, but that might confuse things hahah) it will be up to you to make the most of your career. So stop "just" testing, start being proactive and DON"T BE a wall flower when checking for MORE. Some people will be giving you advice not to be a hot-shot intern. But a) you don't plan to be back b) you only have a little time to succeed. Therefore, make friends and seize this opportunity with both hands. It isn't like school where you do your homework and learn by lectures. Jobs are more dusty. </p>
<p>And one other thought .... re-read your offer letter and see who signed it and what they thought you'd be doing. And a) ask them for what to do and b)do more of that.
Good luck.</p>
In the real world (I almost said IRL, but that might confuse things hahah) it will be up to you to make the most of your career. So stop "just" testing, start being proactive and DON"T BE a wall flower when checking for MORE.
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<p>that is good advice. I really wish i had more motivation at the last job I had. I was stuck in a drafting position for a year.</p>
<p>Stop complaining and take action. [S had a coop/internships where he completed assignments quickly. Kept going back to supervisor for more work-What was the supervisor to do, Let him go home early or have him play computer games? ]</p>
<p>Could you maybe pitch an idea of a project you would like to do, rather than wait for somebody else to assign something? I'm sure that showing initiative could only be a good thing.</p>