UM mechanical engineering student Boston Sharp works with machinery at Olin-Winchester’s ammunition manufacturing plant. Sharp is completing a fall co-op internship there. (Submitted photo)
University of Mississippi junior mechanical engineering majors Noah Franks and Boston Sharp chose wisely when they decided to extend their co-op internships.
Originally, they were both in the middle of their internships at the Olin-Winchester ammunition manufacturing plant in Oxford last spring. After COVID-19 abruptly altered the company’s workforce and future internships were halted by the university, the two students sought and were granted extensions into and through the fall semester.
“I had to make a choice: either return to school off a semester and try to piece together an engineering schedule that does not leave much room for flexibility, or approach my boss and Winchester about extending my co-op for a second semester,” said Sharp, a junior mechanical engineering major from Helena, Alabama. “I chose the latter and am the happier for it.”
Franks said he shares a similar attitude toward his own co-op experience.
“I chose mechanical engineering as a major because I love to work with my hands and problem solve,” said the Water Valley native. “In doing my co-op, it made me even more firm in my decision.”
Noah Franks is a process engineer co-op intern at Olin-Winchester’s manufacturing plant. The UM mechanical engineering major works with full-time employees on quality control and problem-solving projects. (Submitted photo)
Both Franks and Sharp work as process engineering co-op interns. Both students are proving to be exceptional in many respects, said Steve Davis, lead manager of process engineering and metals lab at Olin-Winchester.
“Boston never backs down from a challenge, not afraid to ask questions, and will seek out relevant information to solve a problem,” Davis said. “Noah has a passion to help others and contribute to the continuous improvement process so critical to manufacturing operations.”
Each intern described his responsibilities within the organization.
“I work as a type of troubleshooter both out on the manufacturing floor and in my cubicle,” Sharp said. “I have never felt nor been treated like a co-op.”
Sharp’s duties include collaborating with fellow full-time process engineers to investigate and solve any problems that may arise within the production process.
He also coordinates with his bosses, the foreman and individual adjusters to run trials that modify aspects of multiple calibers of cartridges to continuously improve the Winchester product for the consumer.
“I may be required to take all types of measurements of any individual component and compile that information to make a report to my boss, reporting my findings and giving my opinion on how to proceed based on the project I am currently working on,” Sharp said.
“I also help to create engineering change orders, which documents any type of changes we are making to tooling, machines, specifications and so forth within the manufacturing process.”
Frank’s responsibilities include writing engineering trial test plans, designing or modifying both old and new tools, working with all supervisors and plant workers to increase plant efficiency, and identify any potential problems – both present and future.
“Once I finish my co-op full time in May 2021, I will take the summer and start back school full time in August in hopes to finish in three semesters,” he said.
Franks and Sharp both said they decided to attend Ole Miss because of the reputation of the engineering programs.
“Ole Miss’ engineering programs have come a long way in recent years,” Franks said. “Local engineering employers have been able to tell differences in Ole Miss students from any other university students.”
Sharp said though he has always been an Ole Miss fan and loved the campus and family atmosphere, what drew him here was the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence program.
“It is a program with no comparison across the country,” Sharp said. “It readies engineers, accountants and business majors to immediately make an impact on the manufacturing industry here in the United States and prepares them with a wide range of knowledge and useful skills.”
Upon completion of his co-op, Franks plans to get married but is unsure how life will look for him and his fiancee. Whatever his future holds, he expressed gratitude for his Ole Miss engineering education.
“For anybody in the engineering staff department, say a major ‘thank you’ for working diligently and providing several avenues of education for students to learn effectively and with as few bumps in the road as possible,” Franks said. “We appreciate all of you and what you do for us.”
Sharp plans to become a U.S. Marine Corps aviator. Should his dream job be delayed, he said he is prepared for yet another change in his plans.
“I consider myself an extremely flexible person,” he said. “I was raised to be prepared for almost any situation whether expected or unexpected. Therefore, I personally believe that I can adapt to whatever is needed of me in order to take on the future.”