Gogoana

                    Name: Radu Gogoana

                    University: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

                    Internship at Continental in: Germany

“Working abroad is a very important experience”

I spent my summer at Continental for the same reasons most students want to work abroad: to see the world and gain experience working somewhere other than Home . . . wherever that may be.

In studying mechanical engineering, I’ve wanted to work in the research and development part of an engineering firm: working at Conti gave me the experience of being involved in the product development process first hand, moving a CAD image on a computer screen through the manufacturing process, to make a product that will end up on a sales floor halfway across the world.

Most important was the experience gained from working internationally; few people can doubt the influence that globalization will have over the engineering careers of the future. With the outsourcing of not only manufacturing, but engineering as well – the experience of working across geographic, political and cultural boundaries is not something that can be learned from reading a book.

In a shameless plug for Conti, I can honestly say that working in Hannover was a positive experience. The management structure was relaxed, and everyone in R&D was more or less in charge of their own project. Coming into work was relatively relaxed; people came late or left early as needed, as long as the work got done. However, the time used there was extremely efficient; I remember taking lunch breaks with my boss where we would leave the office, walk to the cafeteria, eat and talk with all of the other R&D guys, and be back in my office within 25 minutes. Almost a year later I still keep in touch with my boss to discuss management theory and the tire tread patterns that will emerge on efficiency-stressed electric cars . . . the concentration of my current work and an area in which Conti is one of the largest global suppliers.