Aisha Sarwar

What motivated you to apply for co-op/Internship?

School and academics are completely different to what real life engineering really is, and before we get right into it after graduation, co-op/internships help us understand what the industry is truly like. It can help you have a much more easier transition into your work life. Plus, by choosing a company or job or industry to complete your co-op/internship with, you can rule out whether you like it and would want to continue working there or, more importantly, not. You also get some cool experience where you can apply what you learned before you graduate. All the upper year students, professors and TA's I spoke to highly suggested completing a co-op/internship due to the reasons I mentioned and that it would be really good experience that other applicants might not have once you start applying for jobs.

Can you describe your position in a few sentences?

I was working with the Accessories Development department at Toyota Canada Inc. where I actually got to design and develop several accessories for Toyota/Lexus vehicles. I went through the whole design process, from the concept/planning phase to testing to successfully launching accessories. I worked with many external vendors and with numerous different departments internally as well to ensure a smooth design process and that there were no issues with tasks following the completion of the design process. I also had the chance to use my CAD knowledge and complete many R&D activities for different accessories using technical skills I learnt from school and from my incredibly talented team at Toyota.

Did you receive training to perform your engineering duties? Please explain.

I received extensive training at Toyota to perform my engineering duties. Part of the onboarding process was to complete a huge matrix of training modules, many of which included one-on-one training with all the different developers on the team, which I found very unique and helpful. It gave me the chance to get so many different viewpoints and ways of completing tasks. I was able to get training and advice from developers with different expertise which helped me be able to better perform my duties and carry out my tasks exceptionally. Furthermore, as another form of training to get started, the first couple of accessories I developed were done under close supervision and with immense support from one of the developers who was a great mentor. Following this, I was able to confidently complete the design and development process with minimal support. Throughout my term, everyone was readily available to help, including my manager, team leads, project manager, and the whole of the development, planning, quality and marketing teams.

What was your work atmosphere like?

The atmosphere at Toyota Canada Inc. is absolutely amazing. Everyone in the office is extremely kind, helpful and welcoming, and they treat you like a fellow employee. It is a very team-centric, supportive environment where everyone is ready to help. Toyota also ensures that you are always learning and growing and therefore, has a rotation culture. There are always opportunities to learn more about the vehicles, participate in fun activities to boost office morale and a very innovative atmosphere. The company focuses on achieving personal and team goals, motivating everyone to continuously grow, innovate and improve. During my term, the office was still hybrid, you were required to be in the office for 50% of the working days or for any mandatory in-person activities, which was very convenient.

What new skills were you able to learn/develop during your co-op/internship?

I was able to learn and develop many skills during my internship. As an engineering student, there is not much emphasis on presenting and public speaking compared to all the technical knowledge that we gain. My position required for me to be in constant communication with my team, with external vendors and with other departments, and present what I was working on throughout my term. This helped me build confidence and understand the different ways I could improve personally through the help of my mentor. I definitely noticed, between when I started my position and by the time I ended it, a huge difference in my public speaking skills, confidence and presentation skills. Plus, my manager always encouraged me with presentations and presented me with more tasks that required me to speak to help me achieve the best results. Adding to that, I was able to hone my communication skills as this is a core skill to succeed in position. On the technical side, I was able to see the whole design process that we learned in essence in class now be applied to actual, real-life products. Toyota was using a CAD software different from the ones we learned in university, which gave me the chance to pick up on a new CAD software along with several other programs and software. The design and development process required for me to read and work with engineering drawings, which is an essential skill for an engineer. Toyota had a fast-paced environment which helped me further develop my multi-tasking and organization skills as well by properly documenting the processes.

How did your experience compare with your expectations?

My experience at Toyota Canada Inc. went above and beyond my expectations. Contrary to my prior belief, my team at Toyota and all those in higher positions too, treating me as a part of the team and a fellow employee who was completely capable of doing exactly what they themselves were doing. My manager really emphasized the fact that I was capable of achieving anything that others at the company were doing and helped me reach my potential, and he always encouraged me with all my tasks. As the only female on the development engineering team, he ensured that I understood that I could accomplish just as much as my male colleagues. The rest of my team was just as welcoming and encouraging, they were always ready to help me do my best and achieve the best results on my own. They never doubted my capabilities. Furthermore, the environment was much more friendly and team-oriented than I expected from a corporate office.

What was your proudest moment?

I believe I had multiple milestones throughout my term that I would consider as proud moments, however, my proudest moment was being able to independently complete the design and development process for one of my assigned accessories with minimal support from my supervisor. By working on other smaller projects I was able to complete a big project, which was to develop an alloy wheel. It was incredible to see the accessory successfully launch knowing I had worked on it myself, communicated appropriately with vendors, planned and timed everything, completed all documents and required tasks, and ultimately developed an accessory which matched Toyota standard and was available for customers to add to their vehicles. Plus, actually seeing it on the vehicle and knowing that I had done that was a really amazing feeling.

What advice would you offer to current students thinking about pursuing co-op or internship?

For current students thinking about pursuing co-op or internships, the first thing I would suggest is: DO IT! You get to have such a unique experience which you would not get otherwise. It is not a lifetime commitment, it is to understand where you stand and get a feel for what the real world has to offer. It is also a great way to build your network and get insights into other professionals' journeys. You meet some incredible people along the way who might be able to help you on your endeavor. Once you do start your position, remember to always ask as many questions as you need to and don't be shy, your team knows that you are a student and understands that you are new to this. They will be able to guide you and you will be able to learn so much more. Plus, remember to network as much as possible throughout your term as well, it helps you engage with industry professionals and meet people who can act as strong mentors.