Work Experience - Parker Hannifin Monterrey

What were your objectives?

Initially this was to gain some work experience which would later benefit me when writing my college applications. However, overall I was trying to gain more information of the occupation as an engineer and I was given this opportunity to enroll in an internship in a company called 'Parker MCS'. Here I planned to increase my knowledge on the occupation and learn the responsibilities an engineer has to take.

What did you do?

In the company I helped with numerous tasks that were given to me. Firstly I had to go out in the factory and monitor the cycle time for each pipe line to produce a certain number of pipes. This information was essential because the company would then later use this information to calculate their losses and try to find improvements to increase the efficiency for the company.

After this I was given routings and drawings for each pipe that was produced in the company. Then I was to compare the drawings and routings to see if the products that are being produced coincide with the actual products that are produced in the factory.

What were the outcomes for you and the team?

Personally, I was able to obtain more knowledge of the job of an engineer. The delicacy and intense detailed work that is required to be an engineer enticed me and as a result I was able to even more urge to pursue the occupation as an engineer. For the team, I was able to assist the manager whom I worked under create presentations using the data I have obtained from the factory and present it to the board so that they could make modifications to enhance the quality of work in the company.

How successful were you in reaching your objectives and why?

I was successful to the extent that I was able to gather more information of the duties of an engineer and the types of works they had to perform daily. However, I was not suitable for jobs that required specificity and professional knowledge so I could not indulge in that aspect yet I was able to increase the enthusiasm to become an engineer.

Did you encounter and difficulties and how did you overcome them?

Difficulties were not in the work that I was given, but the daily routine I had to cope with. Waking up at 5 o clock and having to travel 1 hour just to arrive at the work place was first manageable but later unbearable. The laziness and the lethargy made it hard for me to concentrate on the work that I was given in the morning and the hunger caused me to slack off at times while in work.

However, I have always told myself that the opportunity was golden and that I would not be able to gain such chance again so I would have to make use of every second I have in the work. To wake up in the morning, I would always sleep no later that 10 the previous night and to make a more energetic day, I would have breakfast no matter how tired I was. This small changes in my life has made the duration in the work more enjoyable and I was able to perform more tasks later throughout my internship.

What did you think about the activity? What did it mean to you?

The activities I was given were suitable for my present status, because I have not yet been given the knowledge of being an engineer. However, even from the abilities I had, I was able to assist in essential tasks in the company and because I was able to perform the activities that were suitable for me, I felt the achievement and thus after the whole experience the self-esteem I had went higher.

What did you learn from the activity? What values have you developed?

I have learnt to appreciate the immense work that goes into the everyday objects that I see in shops and even in my house. These products are made from incredible detailed designs and intense effort to produce an object that would ease the everyday lives of people. By recognising this, not only have I become more appreciative of the things around me, but also the enthusiasm for engineering has escalated and I have been able to dream of the future I would eventually hope to achieve.

How can you apply what you've learnt to new situations?

The strength to even overcome the laziness within me has helped me to perform tasks that are not in my interest. I have always had difficulty doing things which I did not take much value in, however, by being able to mind control the laziness within my mind, I would be able to fulfill the obligations and the responsibilities I am given in the late future.