Mechanical Engineer Project Coordinator Review

As a project coordinator, I focused on assisting new, current, and running projects, using innovation and new technologies to optimise the high-speed machinery we were working on. My main responsibilities on a day to day basis were comprised of: • Project planning and management • CAD modelling • Prototyping and iterating design ideas • Supplier management • Fault-finding on prototype systems • Purchasing & classifying equipment for export • Presenting project updates • organising meetings to present project progress • Budget tracking • Support other departments with technical skills

Throughout the placement I have been given many opportunities to present both technical and general presentations. This has allowed me to improved on my confidence and clarity when presenting. Juggling multiple tasks in parallel has considerable improved my management skills helping me complete them efficiently and systematically. I have gained many technical skills which has shaped me into a much more professional engineer. I have learnt to make CAD models and drawings to a professional and industrial manner. I have also been trained on lots of machinery and systems to help with engineering analysis.

I was given a lot of responsibility early on in the placement, however, as daunting as this is, it developed my time management skills so that I would meet deadlines. The responsibility also included planning all the actions to be taken for this project. I had to organise any resources required too which allowed me to build good relationships with our suppliers. Leading a specific project helped me gain a lot more confidence in decision-making and delegating tasks to my team.

Throughout the internship I have received all the support and guidance I have needed. I have had full support from both my colleagues and external contacts with training on all the tools, machinery and systems. For non technical skills, I received guidance from both colleagues and even my mentors. With the workload that we are given, we often have meetings with the line manager to give feedback on how our work is progressing where we can also request to have work increased or reduced.

BAT as a company is a multinational company, therefore throughout the placement we had the opportunity to work with people of many backgrounds and cultures. Diversity is a very big thing at BAT where I was given the opportunity to support the work and projects of colleagues from our South Korean factory not only broadened my technical engineering knowledge but also gave me an appreciation for their approach to problem-solving, technical abilities and ways of working.

I enjoyed my placement very well as it has helped me become a much more professional engineer. The work that I have been doing is actual work that we can see being used in the real world. This makes you feel more like a employee rather than an intern. I have a much better understanding of the lifecycle of a project and how projects are carried out in the manufacturing industry. BAT has also allowed me to network well throughout the company which is advantageous to my career development.

Yes

Definitely ask for any opportunities you would like to experience as they will most definitely try their best to provide these opportunities. Try to network around and make contacts with people from different departments. There are also many social activities such as sports or events, joining in where interested definitely helps with socialising. Make full use of all the resources that the company provides, such as the learning courses, as these have also helped me build on a lot of both general and technical skills.