Recurring Spheres

Ben

Area: Recurring Spheres

Role: Mechanical Engineering Intern

Education: Clarkson University

Major: Mechanical Engineering

What kinds of skills did you learn at Optimax that you couldn't learn in a classroom? I've learned to develop my social skills a lot better than sitting in a classroom, as well as being able to manage more than one project at once.

What I learned about optics: The materials used for optics aren't just restricted to glass. They can also be made out of crystals, glass, and sometimes plastics.

What I learned about manufacturing: I've learned to come up with out of the box solutions to help increase the efficiency and success of the manufacturing process.

Why I like working at Optimax: The community here is something that is entirely unique and one that I'm sure I will never find anywhere else.

The best part of Optimax in one word: Community

Quality Assurance

Zoë

Area: Quality

Role: Packaging Science Intern

Education: Rochester Institute of Technology

Major: Packaging Science

How has your internship helped you with your studies? In the classes I've taken, I haven't really learned about protective packaging yet and I'm learning a lot about that here.

What kinds of skills did you learn at Optimax that you couldn't learn in a classroom? I've learned a lot about problem-solving. In class we're given a problem, told the solution, and then we create the packaging for it. But in the real world, you aren't given that solution.

What I learned about optics: I know a lot of work goes into making optics and that they are really fragile, so that's why my role is so important. I need to ensure that the packages protect the optics so that everyone else's hard work pays off.

The coolest thing I did during this internship: I conducted a package drop test on my own. It was something that I have never done in class before and it was really cool because my package actually passed.

The best part of Optimax in one word: Family

LGO

Michael

Area: Laser Grade Optics (LGO)

Role: Mechanical Engineering Intern

Education: Rochester Institute of Technology

Major: Mechanical Engineering

How has your internship helped you with your studies? Programming languages that are going to be relevant to work experience.

What kinds of skills did you learn at Optimax that you couldn't learn in a classroom? Procedurally attacking engineering tasks in a way that makes logical sense is something you can only do while you're working here.

What I learned about manufacturing: I learned about the lean model of manufacturing, which is something that I have heard of in my classes but never actually seen in action.

Has this internship helped you figure out any career goals or paths? Because a degree is such a major commitment, having the opportunity to practice something in a really supportive environment has really enforced my decision to be an engineer.

Why I like working at Optimax: I feel like I'm getting legitimate tasks that benefit both the people around me and the people I interact with on a daily basis.

The best part of Optimax in one word: Culture

Coating

Nick

How long have you been at Optimax? 3 years

Areas: Coating, Aspheres, Spheres

Current role: Coating Engineering Intern

Education: Alfred University

Major: Biomaterials Engineering

What kinds of skills did you learn at Optimax that you couldn't learn in a classroom? My communication skills.

What I learned about manufacturing: Having worked here for 3 years, I've seen the whole process of how these optics are made – from the production of the actual glass material to the grinding and polishing and all the way up to the coating of it.

Why I like working at Optimax: The friendly culture and the laid back attitude. I was really drawn to work here when I was looking for internships because both my dad and grandpa work here, and when you're an employee at Optimax, they really do treat you like family.

The best part of Optimax in one word: Precision

Coating

Ally

Area: Coating

Role: Coating Engineering Intern

Education: University of Rochester

Major: Chemical Engineering

How has your internship helped you with your studies? You can sit in a classroom and be told what's going to happen and how it's going to happen, but sitting there and actually watching a reaction occur, you learn so much more about it and actually understand what is happening.

What I learned about optics: The aspect of an optic that makes it work for its application is often the coating itself that you put on it and that even a tiny nanometer can make a difference.

Why I like working at Optimax: Working here has given me some really important values. All of the employees are the number one priority here.

The best part of Optimax in one word: Atmosphere