Dayton Engineer

Ashley Anderson, a sophomore mechanical engineering technology student from Gahanna, Ohio, was recently recognized as Honda’s Co-op of the Term award winner.

She discovered the opportunity to co-op with Honda at a spring career fair and was offered an interview the next day. Anderson completed two rotations as a quality engineering co-op student in the Production Support Department at Honda from May through December 2023.

During her two rotations, Anderson gained experience with root cause analysis on parts, maintaining delivery quality, facilitating communications between the plant and supplier, part specific drawings and presenting findings to American and Japanese executives.

“I was very surprised but honored that they thought my work was important enough to award,” Anderson said. “It was also nice to know that almost all of my upper management nominated me after my work on a specifically difficult project.”

Her co-op experience only fueled her reason for choosing a career in engineering – to problem solve and improve lives through everyday products.

One thing I learned about myself during my term was how to be confident in myself and make decisions even when I didn't know what the right choice was,” Anderson said.

Anderson will return to Honda this summer for a vehicle dynamics testing co-op. After graduation, she would like to work for a motorsports racing team.