Co-op Ambassador:
Shargene Nguyen             

Major: Environmental Engineering
Graduation Date: May 2019
Co-op Company: Anderson Regional Joint Water System & BMW Manufacturing Company

Why did you decide to co-op?
I decided to co-op because I think graduating with work experience makes you a valuable recruit.

What types of projects did you work on?
At Anderson Regional Joint Water System, I did a lot of water quality sampling and got to work on projects involving the taste and odor issues in Lake Hartwell. While at BMW I worked on a variety of projects involving the environmental management system including updating environmental training for all associates and updating data in the environmental compliance software.

Describe your relationship with your mentor(s) and other colleagues:
I had a great working relationship with my mentors. I felt comfortable talking to them and going to them with questions. I also had a great relationship with my colleagues. They were all very helpful and gave meaningful responsibilities and tasks for me to work on.

What was your most memorable moment on assignment?
My most memorable assignment was being able to go out on the boat on Lake Hartwell to collect water samples at Anderson Regional Joint Water System. At BMW my most memorable assignment was being able to go onto the roofs of the building for opacity testing.

What aspect of your co-op assignment do you feel will be the most beneficial after you graduate?
Through my co-op I further developed my organization, time management, communication and problem-solving skills which I think will make me a better employee after I graduate.

What advice do you have for other students looking to complete the co-op program?
My advice for students looking to complete the co-op program would be to network as much as you can. I think networking helps you develop personable skills that will help you during interviews and help you when interacting with professionals during your co-op. Networking is also important when looking for a job in the future. I think it’s never too early to network!