CONFESSIONS OF A QUALITY INTERN
"IT STARTED WITH FEAR AND ENDED WITH SKILL AUGMENTATION"
After my mechanical engineering I had one year work experience with the manufacturing industry where I utilized my engineering knowledge & saw practical application in running an industry, when I found the exact applications of my learning, I felt happy to have studied this at my college. This helped me work with more enjoyment and cheer.
The time when I had to take SIP, I had completed two semesters of my management education in operations. I was exposed to a lot of terms like Kaizen, TPM, TQM, QC tools, Kanban, Six Sigma, 5S, Production scheduling, Project management etc. I was extremely excited & looking forward to applying this knowledge in manufacturing industry.
I got an opportunity to work with Lear Corporation for my summer internship in Pune, the city for students and with a pleasant climate. The city made me feel at home as it gave me everything that a youth could require, and I was also familiar to the city, having worked there previously.
Working with the world’s second largest seat manufacturer, I was nervous to join considering high standards and discipline, modern technology, and great place to work for employees. There were several questions that were present in my mind as to who would be my guide & what type of project I would get? Would I be able to complete my project and fulfil the expectation of my guide, college & myself? Few other questions were also in my mind?
The first day went fine with our introduction to managers and understanding our roles and responsibilities. We were assigned our seats in an AC facility, were given laptops with internet connectivity and a pick up facility. I liked the way things worked here, they were prompt and we were assigned our guide and projects on the very first day. The actual work started on the second day when we were given our individual roles according to our past experience. Having worked in the quality department, I got a project that was related to quality improvement in M-300(Beat- General Motors) seat assembly line.
When I started to work, I found some issues on general motor seat assembly line, from which I selected the issues regarding rework and scrap. There were several irregularities existing. I found the Statement of process was not followed by the employees and productivity improvement activity was not being adhered to. After working for 7 days I presented the scenario to the Plant Head and the heads of the other departments. My suggestion was implemented within two days on the assembly line. This proved to be a great morale booster for me and helped my confidence. I worked on my project with more interest & enthusiasm, with my guide always by my side to help and to know the latest updates about my project. The other employees were also supportive and helped me with project work analysis & root cause analysis. My suggestions were under consideration, waiting to be implemented so that it could contribute to the output of the project.
During this time, I also made good relations with the people at work & understood the working of the company. I also experienced some of the common issues with labour.
The project ended on a high note with Quality Improvement, and gaining knowledge from practical implementations at the plant. I was able to deliver a comprehensive report on my project, which was well received and appreciated.
For the next batch and the many more students who would be in my position soon I would like to say that Just Do It with interest, as there is a lot to learn from industry!
Pranay Moon
MBA 2011-13 (Operations Management)
Symbiosis Institute of Operation Management
"IT STARTED WITH FEAR AND ENDED WITH SKILL AUGMENTATION"
After my mechanical engineering I had one year work experience with the manufacturing industry where I utilized my engineering knowledge & saw practical application in running an industry, when I found the exact applications of my learning, I felt happy to have studied this at my college. This helped me work with more enjoyment and cheer.
The time when I had to take SIP, I had completed two semesters of my management education in operations. I was exposed to a lot of terms like Kaizen, TPM, TQM, QC tools, Kanban, Six Sigma, 5S, Production scheduling, Project management etc. I was extremely excited & looking forward to applying this knowledge in manufacturing industry.
I got an opportunity to work with Lear Corporation for my summer internship in Pune, the city for students and with a pleasant climate. The city made me feel at home as it gave me everything that a youth could require, and I was also familiar to the city, having worked there previously.
Working with the world’s second largest seat manufacturer, I was nervous to join considering high standards and discipline, modern technology, and great place to work for employees. There were several questions that were present in my mind as to who would be my guide & what type of project I would get? Would I be able to complete my project and fulfil the expectation of my guide, college & myself? Few other questions were also in my mind?
The first day went fine with our introduction to managers and understanding our roles and responsibilities. We were assigned our seats in an AC facility, were given laptops with internet connectivity and a pick up facility. I liked the way things worked here, they were prompt and we were assigned our guide and projects on the very first day. The actual work started on the second day when we were given our individual roles according to our past experience. Having worked in the quality department, I got a project that was related to quality improvement in M-300(Beat- General Motors) seat assembly line.
When I started to work, I found some issues on general motor seat assembly line, from which I selected the issues regarding rework and scrap. There were several irregularities existing. I found the Statement of process was not followed by the employees and productivity improvement activity was not being adhered to. After working for 7 days I presented the scenario to the Plant Head and the heads of the other departments. My suggestion was implemented within two days on the assembly line. This proved to be a great morale booster for me and helped my confidence. I worked on my project with more interest & enthusiasm, with my guide always by my side to help and to know the latest updates about my project. The other employees were also supportive and helped me with project work analysis & root cause analysis. My suggestions were under consideration, waiting to be implemented so that it could contribute to the output of the project.
During this time, I also made good relations with the people at work & understood the working of the company. I also experienced some of the common issues with labour.
The project ended on a high note with Quality Improvement, and gaining knowledge from practical implementations at the plant. I was able to deliver a comprehensive report on my project, which was well received and appreciated.
For the next batch and the many more students who would be in my position soon I would like to say that Just Do It with interest, as there is a lot to learn from industry!
Pranay Moon
MBA 2011-13 (Operations Management)
Symbiosis Institute of Operation Management