NuVasive

Manufacturing Engineering Intern

May - August 2024 • West Carrollton, OH

What I liked

I really enjoyed the collaborative and supportive company culture at NuVasive. The welcoming atmosphere and readiness of coworkers to help created a positive work environment, which made it easier to grow and learn. I also appreciated the hands-on experience working with machinists and leading a team, as it allowed me to directly impact tooling efficiency and process improvements. Additionally, participating in the Lean Academy and implementing practical solutions like a WIP (work in progress) cart gave me valuable insights into continuous improvement practices.

What I wish was different

I wish I had focused on expanding my knowledge of other departments earlier in my rotation. Initially, I concentrated mainly on my own area, but I now realize that building relationships across the entire site would have been more beneficial. The openness and willingness of people to help at NuVasive meant that fostering these connections from the start could have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the company and its processes. Developing these relationships sooner would have facilitated a more holistic learning experience and a deeper blend into the separation between operations of NuVasive.

Advice

One piece of advice is to embrace your curiosity and ask questions early on. Gain a deeper understanding of processes and seeking guidance sooner can significantly help your ability to contribute effectively. Also, actively participating in the company culture/events and building strong relationships with colleagues can provide valuable support and insights throughout your experience. Don’t be afraid to take initiative and engage with your team to make continuous improvements.

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Lean Manufacturing Engineer - Co-op

August 2022 - May 2023 • West Carrollton, OH

What I liked

I loved the companies atmosphere and culture. I was given large and impactful projects that actually contributed something to the company. I had ample support in my role and was able to be a full member of their team. Furthermore I was given concrete and helpful feedback which allowed me to further my personal and technical development. I was able to lead multidisciplinary teams including managers, supervisors, engineers, programmers, and operators. I had the opportunity to complete a large scale report out to upper management and the engineering staff at the conclusion of my project.

What I wish was different

During a portion of my semester another team at the company was short staffed while they were going through a hiring process which led to being pulled away from my projects for a portion of my time there. However steps have already been made to hopefully avoid that happening in the future as they're revamping their internship/co-op program. I would have liked even more frequent feedback but I largely appreciated the independence of the role and the much larger project I got on my second term.

Advice

I recommend this company. Go into it with an open mind and willing to put in work and learn and they will take care of the rest. Between their just do it culture that pushes for continuous improvement and the provided support you will walk away from the experience with something valuable. Make sure to ask frequent question and work to establish relationships with the people in each area as they will always be willing to help.

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Supply Chain Engineering Intern

May - August 2022 • West Carrollton, OH

What I liked

The employees at NuVasive are one of a kind individuals who were always willing to go out of their way to assist me in any way I needed. The projects I worked on during my internship allowed me to work with a wide range of people which helped me gain a wealth of information and experiences. Throughout my entire internship I was treated as an engineer, helping with some of the companies largest obstacles and opportunities for growth. Lastly, it was a fascinating to be apart of a company that creates products that forever change people's lives for the better.

What I wish was different

Throughout my internship I gained a lot of manufacturing experience, however I wish I would have learned more about the design and development side of the business. It would have been a neat experience to be able to see the other two site, Memphis and San Diego, to get a full scope of NuVasive. Additionally, I wish I had more time with the company to see some of my projects through from start to finish. Throughout my internship I wish I had more resources to understand all of NuVasive's products in detail.

Advice

One piece of advice I would provide would be to speak up to your manager if there is an area you are interested in learning more about and working on a project related to it. Co-ops and internships are an opportunity for you to learn more about yourself and your future career so explore as much as you can while completing the experiences. Furthermore, do not shy away from from projects that may seem complex. Complex projects expose you to many aspects of the company and allow you to connect with many knowledgeable people who will help you in the future.

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Manufacturing Engineering Intern

May 2020 • West Carrollton, OH

What I liked

Loved the experience and hands on work!

What I wish was different

If only we hadn’t had a pandemic and could have seen everyone’s faces!

Advice

Do not be afraid to express what you are interested in and find work in that area!

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Manufacturing Engineer Intern

May - July 2018 • West Carrollton, OH

What I liked

All of the people there wanted me to succeed not only in the job but also in my future endeavors. I also learned a lot of new things about the field I want to get into.

What I wish was different

I wish there would have been a big project specifically for the interns to work on for the company.

Advice

Make the most of your time by meeting people in the workplace. It may seem irrelevant but they could ultimately be the people that give you a job one day. It never hurts to know people.

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