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Phone: 517-355-4720
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Benefits of Student / Industry Internships in 2005
Shelley Vecchio - Kellogg Company
Biosystems Engineering Senior
Few students can say that they spent their summer working for one of the world’s most known figures: I spent my summer in Battle Creek, Michigan, working for Tony the Tiger. During my three months at the Kellogg Company, I worked in the Snacks Department of the Research, Quality and Technology Division. The Snacks Department is comprised of Cookies (EL Fudge Sandwich Cookies), Crackers (Cheez-It), and Wholesome Foods (Nutri-Grain Bars). My primary focus was on the Keebler Fudge Shoppe Brand line of products.
Over the summer, I was able to visit production plants in Muncy, Pennsylvania; Cary, North Carolina; Battle Creek, Michigan; and Louisville, Kentucky where I was very fortunate to see how several of Kellogg’s products are manufactured including Pop-Tarts, Nutri-Grain Bars, Murray’s Sugar Free Cookies, Hydrox Cookies, Cheez-Its, Austin Sandwich Crackers, Raisin Bran Crunch, Rice Krispies Cereal, Fudge Shoppe Filled Cookies, Sensations Cookies, Soft Batch Cookies, and Frosted Shredded Mini-Wheats. It was quite an eventful summer!
While at Kellogg, I had the opportunity to complete an individual research project. The cookie I worked on had a crème filling that included an unusual ingredient. One day, while running a test in the pilot plant, we happened to make two batches of this crème, one with and one without this expensive ingredient. After learning the purpose of this proprietary material, I noticed that the two crèmes did not appear different. I asked my supervisor if I could compare the rheological properties of the two crèmes, to ensure that by excluding the “special” ingredient, we would not alter the process or the product. In addition to running tests on the crème itself, I also made some product, which contained both variables of crème and subjected them to sensory evaluations. Upon completion of all of the tests, I came to the conclusion that the crèmes were rheologically identical; advising the team to remove the ingredient, which resulted in a significant cost savings for the project.
Overall, my summer was very exciting and educational. I was able to assist on many tests and plant trials for several different products. I was exposed to several different processes and equipment. I voiced a concern about a product, and was given the opportunity to test a processing hypothesis, which resulted in a savings for the company. Overall, I feel that my experiences at Kellogg have not only helped to mold me into a better engineer, but also into a better person.
Kellogg's Company is a producer of cereal, cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, frozen waffles, and other convenience foods.
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