Name: Oritseneye Mebaghanje 

Pronouns:He/Him

Semester of Internship:Summer 2024

Major: Mechanical Engineering 

Current Class Level:Senior

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):Biogen Inc

Location of the Organization (City, State): Morrisville, North Carolina

Title of position:Facilities Engineering Intern

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

My internship focused on facilities engineering in a bioprocessing environment. I improved my technical documentation skills by creating validation protocols for new GMP equipment and gained experience in troubleshooting using root cause analysis. My main projects included decommissioning obsolete temperature transmitters and installing directional flow stickers on ductwork and process lines (WFI, WPU, Clean Steam) to enhance readability for technicians and engineers. I also validated freezers and cold rooms to ensure compliance with GMP standards and worked with building management systems to monitor bioprocessing equipment.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I learned about this role in January 2024 through LinkedIn and applied that same month. The hiring process consisted of two interview stages. First, I had one interview with the hiring manager, where we discussed my background, technical skills, and how they aligned with the role. The final stage was a panel interview with multiple team members, where I had the opportunity to showcase my problem-solving abilities and understanding of the industry. The entire process took about a month from application to the final decision.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

UMBC Career Center, Career Fairs, Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), Alumni Networking, Handshake, LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Biogen, where I learned so much about the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. One of my top accomplishments was networking with senior engineers, technicians, and my fellow interns, which helped me understand different career paths and build meaningful connections.

I also gained a comprehensive understanding of the role of Facilities Engineering in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Meeting one-on-one with my key stakeholders gave me insights into their roles, their backgrounds, and the challenges they face in their jobs.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe I made an impact by addressing and resolving audit findings from regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance and improving processes within my department. Additionally, I volunteered in the Biogen Community Lab, where I shared my experience as an intern, my journey to securing the internship, and my career goals to inspire and motivate K-12 students interested in STEM.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

"Never stop trying until you get to where you want to be, and when you get there, keep pushing to go even further."

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

The career center helped me a lot in the job search and interview process, specifically resume reviews, mock interviews, and tips on how to search for jobs on Handshake and Linkedin.