Andrew Yassall
Hometown | Howland, Ohio
Major | Electrical Engineering
Company | Brewer-Garrett
Location | Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Position | Electrical Engineer Intern
Andrew Yassall, electrical engineering student at The University of Akron.
What are your general co-op duties?
I was the intern on the electrical team in the Project Solutions department. My responsibilities included assisting with the development and maintenance of drafting, design, and engineering standards for building projects. Much of my work involved using AutoCAD to create and revise electrical layouts, and I also conducted field inspections to document and assess existing electrical systems.
What surprises/unexpected outcomes have your experienced on co-op?
I was surprised by the level of detail involved in electrical layouts for large facilities. The electrical plans were extensive and required significant time and coordination for entire buildings. I also didn’t expect how much of the work focused on improving energy efficiency. These projects not only helped companies save money but also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. This experience gave me a new perspective on how engineering can contribute to both environmental and economic goals.
What has been the coolest part of your co-op experience?
The coolest part of the experience was the field work we did. I visited Rhodes Tower in Columbus, Kent State’s water chilling plant, and manufacturing facilities for solar panel installations, just to name a few. These experiences gave me a better understanding of the scale and complexity of real-world projects. For example, I saw how Akron’s HVAC system is designed similarly to Kent State’s, both integrated into a centralized system managed through a sophisticated control process.
How will your co-op influence your career?
My co-op experience confirmed that I truly enjoy working on electrical design for building power systems. I especially appreciated the teamwork involved and the real-world impact of the projects. This experience has influenced me to pursue a similar role after graduation, focusing on electrical designs that support buildings and facilities in the power and energy sectors.
What have you learned as a co-op that you wouldn't have learned from your coursework?
During my co-op, I learned how to work like an engineer—something that goes beyond the classroom. Courses provide theory, but fieldwork showed me how to manage real projects with real impact. I collaborated closely with my team, adapted to project timelines, and used professional tools like AutoCAD, which I hadn’t used in class. I also gained a much deeper understanding of how to size electrical equipment, a topic only lightly covered in coursework. My classes gave me the foundation, but my co-op experience showed me how to apply it in practice.