Toyota

Gus Schneider works in the world of the Toyota Production System (TPS), the most
efficient car-production system in the world. This system was described by James Womack in 1990 in the book, The Machine that Changed the World. With Toyota North American headquarters in Northern Kentucky and a major plant in Georgetown , many UK engineering cooperative education students and engineering graduates have the opportunity to experience the world of "just in time", the kanban system, and kaizen in Toyota plants or in any of a large number of Toyota suppliers. In fact, almost every manufacturing facility in Kentucky is adopting lean manufacturing techniques. The University of Kentucky offers undergraduate engineering students the unique opportunity to earn significant hours toward a Masters degree in Lean Manufacturing - while completing co-op rotations in a lean manufacturing environment, and completing an undergraduate engineering degree. Please see www.mfg.uky.edu/lean/ for more detailed information on the Lean Bootcamp option.

Gus has completed several co-op work sessions in Georgetown in the Powertrain plant, where engines are manufactured. He has learned the value of teamwork and critical thinking. Gus will graduate with a B.S. in both electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as eighteen hours toward an M. S. in Lean Manufacturing through the Lean Manufacturing Boot Camp option. Please contact gus@uky.edu to share his personal experiences as a co-op and see Takas/Co-op Award Winner '06. See http://engineering-rocks.uky.edu for general information about preparation for and careers in engineering.

The image above pictures Gus Schneider carrying the UK Engineering flag at UK's 2007 graduation ceremony.		This is a thumbnail picture of Gus' Engineering Rocks Poster.  To download a high-resolution version, please go to http://engineering-rocks.uky.edu/posters.html

A Real Engineer

I always wanted to be an engineer, so bad in fact that I decided to pursue two engineering degrees. I liked the math and the tools, but I did not really know how they would apply to a 'real' job in the 'real' world. I interviewed for a coop position at Toyota Manufacturing Kentucky because it was close, I had a friend that worked there, and they happened to be the first place I interviewed with. I did not really know what it meant to be an engineer and I certainly had no idea what kind of projects I would taking on. Maybe I was fated to work there, maybe I just got lucky, but either way I am extremely grateful for the experience.

I was hired in the spring for a fall position. Over the summer before I started work, I enrolled in UK's Lean Manufacturing Program because I had heard it would help me "hit the ground running." The classes over the summer were the most important classes I have taken as an engineer. The basic Toyota Principles of team work, kaizen, Just-In-Time, respect for the customer, and importance of the team member were all instilled in me through lecture, lab, and real factory visits. We were assigned tasks unlike anything I have ever experienced in college. We were voluntarily staying at class till 1 AM because no one wanted the team to fail. There was an excitement for learning and a bond between students that is not found in normal academic settings.

Then I started work at Toyota and realized that the company really did believe in everything I had been taught in class. I have been at Toyota for two years now, alternating between part time and full time. While the company employs over 6,000 people, I feel very much part of a team where everyone is recognized on a first name basis and the General Manager has the same type of desk and chair that I have.

While at Toyota, my projects have been as varied as the people that I work with. I have worked on very engineering heavy problems such PLC data networking, but I have also worked on human skill problems such as raising diversity awareness in the work place. Toyota has also recognized me for my work in the form of articles in Toyota publications about my work on data acquisition system. They even interviewed me about my coop experience and what it meant to me on the Toyota News Network.

Toyota has taught me that knowing how to talk to be people is just as important as being able to solve problems. As an engineer, I have no real authority, so everything I accomplish is through collaboration and convincing others that helping me is in their best interest. Sometimes it is an easy sell, while other times it can be a real struggle. Toyota demands results, but using proper engineering techniques combined with a diplomatic attitude towards all involved groups has resulted in work that I am very proud of.

Working at Toyota has made me think a lot about my future career goals. I love the Toyota work environment and the team work that exists on all levels. I also enjoy working directly with the product that is making the money. I feel a certain sense of pride as I pass vehicles made in our plant. I have also learned the importance of education, and I do not want to pass up long term career goals to make money now in the short-term. I want to get a Master's in Mechanical Engineering and continue to work closely with industry in KY. After I have significant work experience, I would like to pursue a MBA because I want to see the good practices I have learned at Toyota employed in other organizations through the management system. I think that more managers should be engineers and remember that as engineers we are bound by ethical practices. Making our products with respect for the builder, consumer, and environment while listening to the demands of market should be the focus.

Both my grandfathers were engineers, and their fathers before them. I am proud to continue the family tradition and I am grateful to UK and TMMK for allowing me to fully understand what it means to be a real engineer.