Co-op Ambassador:
Delayney Pacula
Major: Civil Engineering
Graduation Date: Fall 2016
Co-op Company: Duke Energy
Why did you decide to co-op?
As a sophomore engineering student, I still had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated in 2 years. I decided to co-op to learn what I was interested in and what I was passionate about as a career field. The benefits, both direct and indirect, are what ultimately attracted me to Duke Energy. I loved the job benefits, like free housing, transportation stipend and 401K, but also saw the merit in working for a large company that would be recognized by any future employers.
What types of projects did you work on?
Because I had the unique opportunity to rotate through three different departments in the company, I worked on a variety of projects. I designed new transmission line structures, rebuilt existing transmission lines that were failing, did pre-development site work for potential real estate purchases, and created substation plans to be submitted to the EPA. Every project I worked on was significant and was continued on even after leaving the department.
Describe your relationship with your mentor(s) and other colleagues:
Two of the three mentors I had were more of friends than someone I reported to at work. They still call to check in on me every now and then. My other colleagues were always extremely helpful with any questions I had, whether it was about the work I was doing or just life.
What was your most memorable moment on assignment?
My most memorable moment from my co-op was when I was finally able to implement Gemba walks throughout our facility. I had been working on this assignment for two rotations, but whenever I left to come back to school, it fell off. Finally, in my third rotation, I successfully implemented the Gemba walks. It was a great accomplishment because they continue to be a success now that I am gone.
What aspect of your co-op assignment do you feel will be the most beneficial after you graduate?
The development of my professional “soft skills” is the greatest benefit I gained from co-oping. It has already helped me in networking situations and interviews. I developed professional skills that I would never have gained if I had not pursued this opportunity, as well as becoming a more mature person and student. My work ethic has become exponentially stronger which helps my experiences back at school much better.
What was the most challenging part of your co-op?
The most challenging part of my co-op assignment was simply acclimating to the new environment I was put in. I moved to a different city, lived by myself and started working a full time job all at the same time. Once I got used to all the new I was facing, the rest of it was a breeze.
Describe an instance where you applied something from your coursework to your co-op assignment, or vice versa?
After my first rotation at Duke Energy, I was taking a summer class in Hydrology and knew exactly what my professor was discussing. It was the first time I saw how big the connection between school and my co-op assignment was.
