Andrew Shiu

Did you always know that you wanted to do co-op/internship?

Yes, I have always had a strong belief that work experience pre-graduation can be extremely helpful in gaining real-world experience.

Did you have any concerns or hesitations before you started?

Yes, I wasn't quite sure what kind of work I wanted to do on my co-op term.

What were your expectations?

Before my co-op term, I wished to learn more in-depth with hands-on experience in the field. As well as understanding how the concepts I learned in the classroom could be applied to real-life engineering practice.

How did your experience compare with your expectations?

My work experience definitely exceeded my expectations in terms of the work that I did. I was working on many projects that I did not expect to work on. Toyota also hosted a few company-wide co-op events which helped me to gain insight into other parts of the business.

How would you say you enjoyed your experience?

I would say that my job at Toyota Canada was extremely enjoyable, Toyota helped to create an atmosphere which was not only engaging but also educational. The work that I did varied from day to day, which helped me to gain experience in all aspects of the field. The experience I gained at Toyota definitely helped me to reinforce my interest in working in the automotive sector.

In a few sentences, explain your position. Please provide details about your daily tasks, projects, and responsibilities.

At Toyota I was responsible for writing and publishing Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) which help technicians by providing detailed information on vehicle repair, testing various pre-launch systems to ensure that they met or exceeded the specifications set by Toyota Motor Corp. in Japan, create and test new dealer equipment tools used by the service departments at dealerships to ensure the dealer's service readiness, as well as work on various jobs as requested. Two memorable experiences I had were testing equipment for Toyota's hydrogen-powered vehicle the Mirai, it was extremely interesting seeing how alternative fuel vehicles require different service compared to conventional gasoline vehicles. I also had the opportunity to test new tools for servicing the new GR Supra. Both these vehicles were un-launched at the time of my co-op term which created an exciting experience knowing that things I did before vehicle launch would help future customers.

What was your work atmosphere like? (flexibility, formality, team-centric, supportive)

My work atmosphere was unique, as our department as a whole would not function if we did not have all our team members. Each person specialized in something different, and it was not until we all came together until things started to pan out. My work was very team-oriented, and communication was the key to success.

Did you feel that any training and/or support available to you was helpful or beneficial to you?

Yes, at Toyota I learned and received training about their company-wide culture around the Japanese term "Kaizen" which translates to continuous improvement. This demonstrated to me Toyota's commitment to the highest quality, as well as their determination to create the best, and never settle for less.

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

If you are thinking about or doubting if a co-op or internship is a good idea, it absolutely is! The knowledge you gain in the workforce is an amazing asset and does not compare to anything that you will learn in the classroom.