Kevin Johnson

Mechanical Engineering, May 2015
Systems Engineering Intern, Domino Sugar Refinery

As far as summer internships go, Kevin Johnson landed a sweet one. Working at the Domino Sugar refinery as a systems engineer, Johnson had the opportunity to peer into the world of manufacturing and how engineering is related to it. In the packaging department, he was responsible for handling packing and shipping for more than 20 lines of packaged sugars, ranging from 2.8 grams to 2,000lb “super sacks.” Johnson also worked on projects ranging from integrating weight checking machines with systems that measure bag weight in real time, to upgrading a motor that could save the company hundreds of thousands of dollars. “Being able to work with experienced engineers and learn directly from them has been invaluable. It really demonstrates how what you learn in class relates to real world problems and solutions,” says Johnson.

MY ADVICE – “Branch out of your comfort zone – it gives you an appreciation for all there is to learn. It is also important to experience a variety of professions before entering the job market as a new graduate. This will allow you to really narrow down your future plans to what you definitely know you're passionate about.”