Working on campus as an Ergonomics Student Assistant, I applied the Human Factors sector of Industrial Engineering in combination with Graphic Design. In this role, I created safety content to support ergonomic job activities for janitors and campus workers. For example, I created a Safe Lifting Handout guiding workers on safe lifting techniques to avoid muscle strain, especially in the lower back. Other examples include how to avoid slips, trips, and falls in the winter or how to safely shovel. Additionally, I am assisting in launching an Ergo Leader program to promote and engage workers in safe work activities. With this program, I applied for a WI DOA grant and constructed a Gantt Chart for an implementation plan. Alongside this project launch, another important aspect of my role is to share information about ergonomics to campus workers. I prepared and presented ergonomic recommendations for the College of Engineering Tutoring staff. With photo examples, I presented how certain setups can increase repetitive motion injuries and body strain and provided improvement ideas as well as equipment recommendations. Looking into the process / system flow of incident reports, I also updated the SOP for worker’s injury incidences and used my data analytics skills in Excel to track metrics and display them in graphs.

As a returning Industrial Engineer Intern, I worked as the supporting IE for a business unit supporting Men’s Health. My focused line was experiencing low yields and increasing demand with an outdated Work Content Graph. After evaluating the current state capacity, labor, and layout flow, I learned more about the flow of the process and opportunities for improvement. To improve the yields, an additional equipment needed to be added to the space; however, there would be no room in the current layout. I led a Kaizen for layout improvement with builders, manufacturing engineers, industrial engineers, and more to collaborate and create an improved layout that optimized material flow and created space for the additional machine. After using a ranking tool to determine the best future state layout, I made plans for a shutdown to implement the change. This included utility plate changes, contractor communication, visual management updates, equipment ordering, and more. The re-layout contributed to an estimated $32.5K in savings and $12K in cost avoidance. Additionally, I launched a Work Content Graph Blitz to quickly obtain time studies. With additional resources, the goal was to obtain data for 15 stations, recording at least one container and three builders per station. This thorough analysis allowed us to find the discrepancies in the outdated Work Content Graph. After launching on one product line, I also created a template and helped facilitate launching the blitz throughout the other lines in the business unit.

In summer 2021, I worked at Boston Scientific as an Industrial Engineering Intern. In this role, I learned about how a manufacturing system works, how people interact with the system, and how to approach process improvement in a manufacturing environment. I worked in the Batteries department on an automated line and worked to improve the flow of the line. Using the DMAIC problem solving roadmap, I defined the team and problem and conducted waste walks during shift changes. I measured the current state with a spaghetti diagram and output calculations. In the Analyze phase, I led several Kaizen workshops, analyzed “low hanging fruit” activities, implemented several actions, created implementation plans for activities beyond the timeline of the internship, and created control documentation for sustaining the project’s efforts. The recommended improvement solutions included surging the weld line based on machine performance, adding material racks, and implementing a minimum WIP policy as well as changing quality requirements for sampling due to strong historical data. With this implemented, it was estimated that the line would gain two production days per month, resulting in a yearly savings of $57K.

When starting at Clarity AV, my first task was to create a new brand titled “Tommy Whooo”. Inspired by 60’s rock band artwork, I designed and programmed a font in addition to creating a logo. This new brand would be utilized for apparel. I designed several company shirts as well as custom designed apparel for the new brand. After this project, my work evolved into the expansion and advancement of the marketing for Clarity AV.Clarity AV specializes in the electrical programming and installation of audio and video systems in residential and commercial sectors. Clarity AV operates their system on an app, accessible from an iPad. The graphics are inserted into the programming of the app. My job was to update the graphics, as I led the company rebrand. I created a variety of touch panels that were utilized in the showroom.Creating tangible marketing material would be utilized for sales pitches. After photographing several job sites, I created job portfolios of completed projects and printed them using high-quality printing services. Throughout my time working at Clarity AV, the marketing portfolios have been revised and expanded.Eventually, the company evolved to incorporate the installation of golf simulators, providing more marketing experience. I created maps displaying all simulators installed by Clarity AV throughout the Twin Cities. Additionally, I created quick reference guides to walk customers through a step-by-step process of how to use the technology.Working over winter break, I updated the marketing portfolios with new jobs and printed new booklets to incorporate these changes. Additionally, a new proposal document was created to serve as a “checklist” for potential new customers.

When the marketing of the company was primarily up to date, I was given the opportunity to learn more about project management through a summer internship. I learned how to review and assemble proposal documents when creating job and field folders. Additionally, I learned more about the process of project completion and the steps necessary for on-time competition.

After the summer, I continued to work part-time remotely. During this time, I focused on approving artwork proposals using the same process utilized in the summer.

Valuable hands-on experience was gained by working in a hybrid setting at a pharmaceutical company during the COVID-19 pandemic. After observing the packaging line in the manufacturing facility, I learned about the importance of details in the artwork. Throughout the summer, I approved over 80 artwork proposals by revieing die lines, barcodes, and other specifications in EDMS and SAP. I performed several tests regarding quality through shipping studies, as I evaluated and reported the pre- and post-performance status of various capsules. Additionally, I organized the corrugate packaging information with Microsoft Excel. I communicated with manufacturers regarding requested drawings and documents as well.

Starting in 2014, I began working as a freelance graphic designer for a variety of companies.I worked as a designer for MXL Outfitters, an online company on Etsy that sells teen t-shirts and sweatshirts. My responsibilities included the entire design process: finding inspiration, creating, designing, submitting, responding to feedback, and revising until the artwork is complete. I created several designs that were printed and sold on the website.In 2018, I was connected to Merced Capital and tasked to create artwork for their “Company Loyalty Reward Program” booklet. The color scheme was blue and white, as this matched the company’s logo. I was instructed to make collages to give employees inspiration for the gifts that they could receive. Some examples include jewelry, travel, sporting events, technology, and more.In 2019, a Minneapolis band, Double Shot, contacted me to create the artwork for their new album, “Luscious”. Working with the band members, I created all of the artwork for the CD as well as the front, back, and inside of the CD case. It was important to incorporate personal meaning through the design, which is why personal photos were incorporated on the back of the CD cover.In 2020, I was contacted by Jodi Glaser to create a company logo, letterhead, and business card for her new consulting firm, Jodi Glaser Consulting. After discussing the client’s vision for the artwork, I worked through the design process to create the perfect design for her company. The final logo includes the client’s initials with a navy and white color scheme. The client was very satisfied with the final design.