Year-In Reviews
Year 1
2022-2023
This year, I believe I grew as a person and engineer. As a person, I learned to respect everyone's opinions, no matter what their skill level. I was put to the test during the spring semester's Innovation Challenge, as one of our teammates lacked the knowledge and experience to provide the team with helpful insights. I still listened to what he had to say and even included some of his ideas in the final concept. As an engineer, I grew to respect teamwork and how vital it is to the completion of projects. During a couple of classes in the fall and spring semesters, I needed to complete four projects with a team of four people (one every two projects). In the first class, two team members struggled to keep up with the speed of our coursework and fell behind in their part of the project. Instead of letting it go and getting a less-than-average grade on the project, I tried to push them to succeed, and when they had issues, I helped them through it. In the second class, I, unfortunately, had to learn to prove the amount of work I completed for the project, as all three members didn't do any work. I learned that if a team is uncooperative, I should try to engage with them in a meaningful way. I also learned that I should talk to the professor and teaching assistants when I need help, especially when dealing with uncooperative teammates. Before finals week of the spring semester, I began to fall behind in some of my classes due to the work I had to pick up from team members and extra work outside of class for some competitions. I saw my exam scores go down for a course that I found fun, and that's when I knew I needed to either take a break or work harder. I decided to rework my priorities and minimized my free time to late evenings. In doing this, I was more concentrated on my work, and I was able to regain points in my final exams, which I lost in previous exams. During the Roman Experience seminar, I grew to appreciate the beauty of ancient art and architecture and to respect architectural feats. I learned about the engineering principles used during the Roman Empire and how they're used today. I now see buildings at UC and in Cincinnati in a different way, as I now pay more attention to how they're built, and influence the past has had on the construction of these buildings.
Year 2
2023-2024
This year, I believe I grew significantly as a student, writer, and professional. In Intermediate Composition, I enhanced my analytical and writing skills through the three essays we were required to write. These assignments challenged me to construct cohesive arguments and refine my prose, which deepened my understanding of effective communication. By the end of each assignment, I felt like they became enjoyable tasks rather than just something I had to do for a grade. The process of brainstorming, drafting, and revising helped me appreciate the intricacies of effective writing and how it can be used to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively. This newfound enjoyment and mastery of writing will undoubtedly benefit me in all my future endeavors. My professional development was equally transformative during my co-op experiences at PCC Airfoils and starting at BMW Manufacturing. At PCC Airfoils, I learned the value of taking initiative. Instead of waiting for tasks to be assigned, I proactively sought out work, which not only expanded my technical expertise but also improved my problem-solving abilities. For instance, I took on additional responsibilities such as learning new software tools and addressing complex IT issues that others were hesitant to tackle. This proactive approach not only enhanced my skill set but also boosted my confidence in handling diverse technical challenges. Additionally, this greatly improved my relationship with my co-workers and manager. By demonstrating a strong work ethic and a willingness to go above and beyond, I earned their trust and respect, leading to more collaborative and supportive working relationships. This mindset of self-directed learning prepared me well for my subsequent role at BMW Manufacturing. As a Software Engineer co-op, I am currently facing complex technical challenges that are pushing me out of my comfort zone. I am continuing to take initiative, seeking out tasks and tackling difficult problems, which will allow me to significantly advance my skills and become a more adaptable professional. Overall, these experiences taught me the importance of self-motivation and continuous improvement in both academic and professional settings.