Category: Nicolas

As my internship at ABB is coming to an end, I am very grateful for the opportunities that this company has provided me with as it has provided me with a lifetime of knowledge and experience that I can apply to my future career path. I believe my performance as an intern in this company was very well as I was constantly striving to learn and push new limits as to what work I was given. Simultaneously, I felt I able to assimilate well to the company’s environment and be very collaborative with my co-workers. I did well in the sense of adjusting and adapting to the content of what projects I was given as well as communication with others. In terms of improvement I believe time management is still an area where I need to improve, to be able to be efficient with the time I am given for my projects.

Overall, this experience has contributed tremendously to my professional development as this was my first internship and I believe this will boost my career opportunities for future internships that I plan on seeking. At the same time, this internship helped me get a better idea of my major and what I want to do in my field once I graduate. Personally, this internship allowed me to grow as a person as not only did I gain insight into my major, but also experience the work life in a whole distinct culture.

For me the key takeaways from this experience was simply interacting with my coworkers and learning from them. From the start I felt welcome into the company and the time they took to teach me their software and skills they have picked up from their time working at ABB. In conclusion, I am very appreciative of this experience and if in the future my career path leads me back to Vietnam I would happily come back here and live for a longer time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Being able to intern for a big company such as ABB for me has been one of the best professional experiences of my life thus far and I am grateful for everything I have been able to get out of this internship. The time I felt most proud in my internship would have to be when I was able to work with one of ABB’s robots and be able to control it and program it. I felt that I was really experiencing my major in the field and felt proud to be here taking it all in. My biggest professional accomplishments would have to be when I finished my first project which required me to build a foundation for one of our products robots. It was my first ever project completed for a job and I was extremely proud of it because I was able to incorporate the teachings I have been taught in classes in the actual workplace. It was a truly fulfilling accomplishment that I was very excited about. At the same time, being able to visit a customer site that my company provides there products was also a very rewarding professional experience as I was able to see how we interacted with the customer and also work with one of our partners who taught us about welding and how it can be applied to our robots. I am very grateful for these experiences I have gained here at my internship as it puts me on a good track as to what I want to do with my major.

In regard to living and working here in Ho Chi Minh City, it has allowed me to better grasp the idea that there are many ways to accomplish one’s goals or tasks. Nothing is simply one-directional. Basically, that we have to always be open to new things that come our way and be ready to get uncomfortable when confronting a situation as in life it is important to gain different perspectives than being stubborn and closeminded. Here in Vietnam, we see a different lifestyle, different work ethics, yet the drive to succeed is still there. Incorporating all these perspectives into one’s lifestyles can lead to better holistic accomplishments.

Here at ABB I have been able to learn and gain valuable insight about the robotics industry as an intern. For the most part I have been able to learn a lot about ABB’s robots and applications. I have been able to learn about their design software, RobotStudio, where I can design the appearance of the assembly lines and insert our robots and have them programmed to be able to move to different positions through a virtual simulation. At the same time, through the software I am able to install and program tools to work along with the robot to only enhance the station I am working to make it exactly how the station would run in real life. This all involve working with various coordinate systems, programming and design of parts through SolidWorks. It is truly and enjoyable experience as I very much enjoy this side of engineering.

When discussing the strengths of ABB, I would have to say their constant drive to continue to learn is outstanding. This determination only fuels the employees to excel at their jobs and in turn produces a great work atmosphere that allows for the robotics department to grow. In terms of weaknesses, the organization does not have any strict standards in place that would cause pressure to complete tasks, the environment is very “let go”, but still manages to function well as again everyone is excited to do their job. In regard to opportunities, I find it that at least in my department there is multiple opportunities to not only grow but implement your own way of doing tasks. This is due to the freedom that the department brings as you have sole control of the tasks you are asked to take on and that can allow for anyone to show forth their hard work and gain the proper recognition for it. Potential threats that can possibly happen is the risk of falling into complacency along the years but for now the company seems to be running well.

An amazing moment in my Ho Chi Minh City life so far would be making good friendships with my coworkers and be able to partake in activities they do outside the workplace. Every month, the coworkers, all go to one their houses and have a huge dinner where they all get in a circle and have food together. When I was able to participate in that tradition it was truly surreal because I felt welcomed and excited to be able to be part in this where I could talk to them freely and learn about their life. It was truly awesome, and the food was even greater. It was a simple but yet very meaningful moment that will go down as a highlight of this trip.

In my internship, the most challenging aspects would be the language barrier that exists between me and the rest of the other co-workers. Although the co-workers may know some English it is difficulty communicating with them as their English is very limited when trying to explain, talk back or simply hold a normal conversation about unrelated work subjects. Nevertheless, through hard work by both sides we are able to manage to understand each other and get through the workday effectively. Moreover, the language barrier provides the opportunity to improve my listening skills as it is necessary to fully grasp what my co-workers and supervisor are saying, as well as being able to engage in teaching moments, where I am able to help my co-workers improve on their English by helping with pronunciation or vocabulary that they may not understand. Overall, it’s a challenge I take head on and want to continue overcoming as it is beneficial for both parties.

In regard to the best features of my internship, it has to be the application of what I have learned in the classroom being applied here into the projects that I have to do, as it makes it more interesting and only motivate me more. For instance, I have had to work hard on my SolidWorks skills here for the projects I have been given. The projects further motivate me to continue learning new aspects of SolidWorks and its applications. At the same time, I enjoy the equal footing that the workplace provides as I am included in the departments meetings and can participate along with my superiors. Just the other day for example, I was able to attend a meeting with one ABB’s welding partners, Fronius, and we were able to learn about the implementation of their products to our robots and be able to go to a customer site to see the implementation in action. Never before have I experienced anything like this, so I hold this experience dearly as I wish to use the knowledge, I have gained from this in future situations for comparison.

On a lighter subject, my favorite dish in Ho Chi Minh City has to be pho. I have had pho multiple times already in my stay here in HCMC, but when I go on my lunch break along with my co-workers, they take me to different areas where they serve pho. The fact that I go with locals here to eat their traditional food further adds to why this is my favorite dish. This is due to the fact that they show me the best way to eat it. I mix in a bunch of spices, along with different meats and vegetables that enhance the flavor of the pho so much that I can have it multiple days in a row without getting bored from. It gotten to the point where I feel so used to this dish that I know back home that on a random day of the week I am going to be like “I’m in the mood for pho” on a weekly basis.

            At ABB in the Robotics division I am currently working on my second project that consists of designing and making a gripper of sorts that would be attached to their robots and be able to pick up the customer products. Simultaneously, I must design the way I want the robot to move the product around and be able to do the same to a second robot to which the product gets passed to. What I hope to gain from this project is to be able to enhance my skills in SolidWorks and their design program, RobotStudio. I want to be able to take these skills and be able to use them in future projects inside and outside of ABB. Moreover, I want to create a great design for this project as my supervisor let me know that the design would be shown to their customers where they will have an opinion on the design and can potentially want to invest in such design for their products. This would be a great opportunity as it would be a huge accomplishment to potentially have a customer want to apply the design to their products in their company.

            On the topic of relationships with my supervisor and co-workers I have to say their collaborative and teaching nature compliments my desire to continue learning very well as although there may be a bit of a language barrier they openly welcome me to ask questions and teach me things I did not know before and how to apply them to the projects I am working on. The workplace here is one that involves a lot of communication between others and this helps me a lot, whether it be my supervisor or co-workers, their approachable nature is something constantly motivates me to be confident in what I am doing.

            One thing that I have learned from working here in Ho Chi Minh City is that although there may be a hierarchy as to how things run inside a company, there hierarchy disappears whenever everyone is working together, there is equal footing to make everyone feel as they can contribute something of equal significance to one another. Simultaneously, this also applies outside the workplace as the relationship they have built inside the workplace allows for a tight bond to form that goes beyond that of the company.

My supervisor for ABB, Hong Dang Xuan, is the Engineering Team Leader in the Robotics and Motion Division. His responsibility as a team leader is to make sure the rest of the workers are up to date with their projects making sure that the customers whore a buying our robots are receiving the plans necessary to be able to create the workspace for the robot including the installation. Mr. Hong is a very nice man, who is always willing to help and explain to one how to go about an issue. He demonstrates the many qualities a professor should have as he truly wants one to understand the concepts and always has a drive to teach.

My daily role as an intern consist of learning how to use ABB’s design program, RobotStudio, that allows me to design the assembly line or workspace for which their products will be placed in the most efficient manner. Aside from that I am also working daily on learning how to maneuver and program their actual robots that they sell to our customers. My daily work schedule primarily consists of learning the two throughout the day, giving me a pretty wholistic view of the Robotics division of the company. Currently, I was given a project that I am working on, that consists of making design of the foundation for one of their robots, that the customer needs. It is a very interesting project as it incorporates the use of both RobotStudio and Solidworks.

An interesting personal experience that Ho Chi Minh City has surprised me with is their humbleness and attention to detail. One day when I was off work, I went to go get a haircut at a recommended barbershop called Barbaards barbershop. When I got there, the establishment was like the ultimate gentlemen’s barbershop that could have ever existed, very much that I felt like I was in the movie “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (a very funny action-packed movie, highly recommend). The place was truly amazing but besides that once I was on the chair, the service I got, was truly the very best haircut I have ever gotten in my life. Hair by hair, the barber, who is Vietnamese, but knows perfect English would cut my hair not leaving out a single one untouched, while telling me his life story. A man that seemed very experienced in life, was only to be the exact same age as me (20). Here I was able to see just how humble and welcoming this city was to me and have never felt so comfortable in a foreign country like this. It was awesome how a simple activity such as getting a haircut truly gave me a wholistic view of the culture here and I will definitely go there again before the end of the program.

            The company I am working for this summer is ABB, a Swedish Swiss multinational automation company. The branch that I am working for is in the Robotics division in Ho Chi Minh City which concentrates on the applications and solutions for robots that are to be used in assembly lines. The key of the division is to design these assembly lines in hopes of increasing its efficiency for our buyers who use them to produce and manufacture their products.

            In my first week here working in ABB my and the other interns were welcomed openly by our divisions, in my case the robotics sector. They had us learn about the specifics as to how the company runs, its business model and goals for the future. Once, we covered those introductory steps, were introduced to their program for designing assembly lines, called RobotStudio. In my time so far here, I have spent most of it learning and adapting to this program which allows me to design assembly lines that could be used in actual factories. We are learning the commands necessary to make sure these designs can be applied and improved. The goal is to be able to learn how to completely use this program and be able to create a project that me and my coworker can bring to our boss and demonstrate. So far I am grateful for this experience, as every day I am learning something new and I am able to make great connections with all the other employees of the Robotics division.

            The work environment is very welcoming and sets up a culture that allows for open communication between colleagues, where no matter what we can ask anyone if we have any questions as all of our superiors are happy to teach us and facilitate our transition into the company. We are a team of more than 20 where we all have our desks and sit right next to each other allowing for an environment of open dialogue. At the same time, we have a lounge right next to us where we go to occasionally for a much-needed coffee break. What is very remarkable is how this work environment surpasses the workplace as we all go out to lunch together and hold valuable conversations. Overall, my first few days at ABB have been a blast as I have truly enjoyed what I have accomplished so far and excited to see what challenges lie ahead.

In my first week here in Vietnam there have been able to see multiple aspects of the Vietnamese culture and what makes it so special. One aspect in particular that stood out to me was visiting the Water Market in the Mekong Delta. It was a simple yet wholistic experience that truly defined an important part of the culture that Vietnam embraces. First off, the serenity and peacefulness of going out on the river in boat as the sun rises while being away from the city, only enhanced the experience. Once, arriving to the marker being able to observe the locals coming out unto the river with their markets on their boats as the customers arrive was surreal. They showed us their humble lifestyle while at the same time embracing us with their cultural meals, drinks, clothing. Not only that but the inviting nature of the locals also added tremendous value to the event. The fact is there is beauty in this simple life that these people live, as they wake up every day to work in a job that allows them to sustain themselves as well as their family. Free from unnecessary complications, it only makes me realize that by observing this humble lifestyle, one must be appreciative of the life we are given and continuously partake in this humility while being open to the new experiences the world has for us.  

It is with little surprise that I state that my first impressions of Vietnam blow my expectations out of proportion, because not only am I witnessing a beautiful culture, but I find myself able to embrace a culture that is very distinct from mine and appreciate everything it contains. As the days go by, I am excited to see what other aspects of Vietnam I am going to see and hope that my expectations will only continue to be exceeded.

While I am in Vietnam, I hope to be able to further learn about the business culture in Vietnam as well as being able to partake even if just a little bit in the lifestyle the Vietnamese people share.