I relocated to Pitt after 2 years of study in Greensburg. During my first semester here at pitt, I heard many profesors, students, and even saw messages around campus about the co-op program. I had no idea what it was or what was so special about it. I contacted my advisor and was able to set up an appointment with the co-op director. After this meeting, I knew that this would be a big benefit to my life. I agreed to sign on and everyone in the co-op office helped me set up interviews and find a job, which was for the railroad company Norfolk Southern in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
I started my first day at Norfolk Southern very nervous and not knowing what to expect. When I arrived on my first day, my boss met me at the front door. I was informed on what meetings I have to attend, what my duties would be, and that anyone there would be more than willing to help out if asked. The first couple weeks I was given easy projects to get me settled in and taking many tours to get familar with where places were around the large locomotive yard. Most of my first semester duties included keeping AutoCAD drawings up to date, managing a print distrabution database and running reports. As the first semester was coming to a close, I felt I had made the right choice in joining the co-op program and with this company. I was asked if I wanted to come back for another semester. I quickly agreed and was eager to find out what interesting things I would learn about in my next semester.
When my second semester started, I felt so much more in control than I had the previous semester. I felt more confident and was even told by my boss that he had heard from other employees there that they too noticed more confidence in my work. During this semester I was given some more complicated tasks. I was part of a team that was managing a locomotive project. My main envolvement in the project was keeping track of the finances, running reports, and making CAD drawings. I also had other side jobs like managing the print room printers, maintence on the printers, installing software, printers and plotters, and I also answered computer questions that other employees had. This was probably my most enjoyable semester. After this semester, I was asked again to come back. I, of course, agreed to come back.
This was probably my most unique semester. Before I had come back this semester, I was told that I had a new boss. My old boss came down with an illness and decided to take a medical leave and then retire. My new boss, who I did know from the last semesters called me before I came back to give me all the details. I returned on this last semester wondering about how having a new boss would be different. During this semester, the project that I had been helping with in my last semester was finishing up, so I still had some duties to it. My main envolvement in this term was helping the IT department. I had been working with some engineers from Atlanta to try to reconfigure the locomotive shop for better performance. The IT department was then to get involved on a better way to set up the computers, computer software, and arrangement. I was not able to get heavily involved, since the end of the semester arrived, but as I understand the person that took over in my place is still handling this task. The IT person in our department also gave me some tours of where all the computers were located and how to keep track of them. He helped me to understand the networking that the company he had established at certain locations. Overall this was probably the semester that I learned the most.<
I would just like to say that the experience I had with this company was priceless. I could have taken so many courses, gathered as much knowledge as possible, or got A's on every thing at Pitt, but I wouldn't have the experience that I do now. All the knowledge that I have gained from this experience, not only gives me knowledge in my field, but lets me see how it is all applied at a company level. This is a great opportunity for everyone. If you have been thinking about whether you should join the co-op program, I would suggest that you at least give it serious thought. It can only help you. I hope that this gives you some insight on your decision. This experience has helped me, and I hope that you choose to try to join.
By: Neil Heverly
If you have questions e-mail me at nallenh@yahoo.com