Name: Shannon Donelan 

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: GE Aviation

Position Title: Engineering Design Intern

Major(s)/Minor(s): Mechanical Engineering

Expected Graduation Year: May 2016

Briefly describe your internship, co-op,  or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

This summer, I worked as an intern at the GE Aviation headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. I worked in the Advanced Composites department, specifically Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC) Design. PMC Design is the department responsible for designing the fan blades on the front of jet engines. We worked on fan blades for the GE9x engine, which will be used to power the new Boeing 777x jet airliner. In my role as a design intern,I had a lot of projects. My main project was to design a new system for testing the metal leading edges of the GE9x product blade (the silver parts of fan blades) to ensure that they meet design intent. This required me to lead a team in multiple geographical locations and involved extensive work in the CAD program Unigraphics NX. I also coordinated efforts to prepare for the Fan Blade Out (FBO) test which will be completed in England using fan blades made in the US. An FBO test is when an explosive charge is detonated inside a fan blade in order to detach the blade while the engine is running. Other projects I worked on included compiling and graphing blade machining data, completing an ice mass sensor analysis, designing a stand to hold the fan blades upright, and writing design reviews. At this stage in the GE9x design process, the fan blade parts were undergoing extensive testing and I was able to participate in a lot of the tests. 

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

This is my second co-op rotation with GE Aviation. Last summer, I worked on the design team at their plant in Norwich, NY. I applied for this position my sophomore year when GE Aviation came to UMBC to do on-campus interviews through the Shriver Center. I submitted my resume for consideration through UMBCworks.The interview went well and I was offered a job. After last summer, GE sent out return offers and I really enjoyed my first rotation so I decided to return for this summer. When I applied, I wasn't sure where I would be working. I later found out I would be working at the Aviation headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. I was a bit nervous about moving to Cincinnati for the summer but it turned out to be a wonderful experience! I would recommend an out-of-state internship to anyone who likes trying new things and going out of their comfort zone.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

Working at GE for the past two summers has been phenomenal! My managers have always been extremely knowledgable, approachable, and willing to help me learn. I've had the chance to meet so many different people from all over the world because GE is a global business. I've worked with people everywhere from Mexico to France and I've become close friends with interns from all over the country. Also, GE encourages its employees to participate in trips, picnics, and other fun activities, even during work hours! The higher-level executives are friendly and listen to their employees by hosting lunches and round table discussions. I've gotten to meet multiple vice presidents of GE, including the Vice President of the Engineering division. One of my favorite parts of this summer was visiting Peebles Test Facility. Peebles is where production engines are given certification tests. It's an incredible feeling to see the fully completed engines being subjected to real-life operation conditions.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

GE was the first company to successfully use polymeric matrix composites (PMCs) on their engine's front fan blades. Composite blades are more lightweight and durable than metal blades and their use has become a trademark of GE Aviation. I was honored to work on the new GE9x engine PMC fan blades. I think the best part about working on fan blades was that it's one of the few components of the engine that I can point to and you can actually see. I like knowing that the blades I'm helping to design will one day be on commercial planes everywhere, helping people travel the world. 

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would suggest applying to different places to find what type of engineering you like and what type of roles appeal to you. Working at GE and learning about the design process has shown me which part of that process I want to specialize in. From design to manufacturing, there is a place for everyone, whether you like to be at a computer all day or running around on your feet. Internships can also help you figure out where you'd like to live and work in the future. They can also lead to a job. I have accepted an offer to work at GE Aviation after graduation as a design engineer in the Edison Engineering Development Program (EEDP) thanks to my past internships at GE. I would suggest seeking an internship away from home and moving someplace new. It's only for a summer and you never know what type of great experiences you'll have!

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