Name: Manuel Alejandro Santos
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Where did you
intern? I
interned at Siemens Gamesa Wind Power in Boulder, Colorado.
What did you do
there?
As
a mechanical engineering intern, I was part of a team that modeled, designed
and tested new heating systems to prevent ice formation in turbine blades. The
primary goal of our design was to reduce energy losses caused by changes in
aerodynamic forces due to ice formation. I conducted heat transfer and thermal
stress studies as part of a comprehensive, multiphysics model.
How did the work
you do connect back to your coursework?
Using my experiences as a mechanical engineering
student at FIU, I was able to apply the problem-solving skills developed
throughout my college career, as well as the principles learned in courses such
as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to quickly grasp the
concepts and ideas driving our project.
What was the
coolest thing about your experience?
It would have to be going to the Logan Wind Farm
and experiencing the product of our work firsthand. The number of people
involved is impressive – from software engineers, computational fluid dynamics
experts, structural engineers to field engineers and operators. Seeing it all
come together gave me a great sense of pride and meaning to my work.
What did you learn
about yourself?
By
immersing myself in this project, I discovered just how passionate I am about
the fields of aerodynamics and turbomachinery. It opened my eyes as to what is
possible, and what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
How did you expand
your professional network?
Throughout my experience, I interacted with
professionals from diverse technical and cultural backgrounds. I learned about
their experiences and how they differed from my own, as well as how
their career paths evolved from college interns to professionals. I also
connected with people who share my interests and passions about wind
engineering.
What advice do you
have for others just starting the internship process?
You can do it! Believe in
yourself, communicate effectively and don’t be afraid to seek guidance. Most
importantly, show how passionate you are about your work.
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