Dayton Engineer

Left photo: Hailey Doerner; Right photo: Sarah Siefring

At the University of Dayton, hands-on learning and strong industry connections help students turn classroom knowledge into real-world impact. For engineering students Hailey Doerner and Sarah Siefring, co-op experiences have been instrumental in shaping their academic paths, professional goals and personal growth. Through immersive roles at GE Aerospace and Cleveland-Cliffs, they gained valuable insight into the demands of their industries, explored innovative solutions to technical challenges and discovered a deeper sense of purpose in their work.

Hailey Doerner – GE Aerospace

For industrial engineering technology senior Hailey Doerner, the path to discovering her vocation has been defined by immersive experiences, intentional mentorship and a supportive academic community at the University of Dayton.

Doerner has built an impressive foundation of knowledge through internships and co-ops. Doerner’s co-op experience with GE Aerospace has been a defining part of her engineering journey at the University of Dayton.

Doerner’s journey with GE Aerospace began during her second year. After connecting with a Dayton alum at the university’s fall career fair, she secured a quality internship at GE Aerospace’s ACSC Springdale repair shop where she led several impactful projects. From improving first-pass yield on key components and implementing chemical stripping procedures to designing training programs and organizing tooling systems, her work was both technical and experiential.

She launched employee engagement and incentive campaigns, standardized processes for nonconforming hardware and supported logistics during a cross-functional blitz event. Her role expanded to the T700 engine assembly and test operations in Boston where she contributed to process improvements and intern leadership as an intern ambassador.

“It was motivating to be surrounded by other interns who were just as passionate,” Doerner said. “We worked on subcommittees, volunteered and were involved in community outreach projects outside of our internship. It made the experience more meaningful.”

The University of Dayton played a central role in helping Doerner access and succeed in these opportunities. Through seminar courses, career fairs and a strong alumni network, she was able to confidently pursue roles that matched her interests and strengths.

“The community at UD stands out,” Doerner shared. “There is a strong alumni network, and it was incredibly valuable to talk with people who shared the same values and had been in my shoes not long ago.”

She appreciates the strong campus community, the ability to form meaningful connections with faculty and the personalized learning environment that supports both academic and professional growth. Her classroom learning has been enhanced by real-world application through her internships.

Doerner’s co-op experiences have confirmed her passion for industrial engineering and helped shape her vision for a future grounded in innovation, teamwork and practical impact. Following graduation, Doerner will return to GE Aerospace.

“Engineering is about applying technology in a practical way,” Doerner said. “It’s about solving real problems.”

Sarah Siefring – Cleveland Cliffs

For chemical engineering senior Sarah Siefring, a co-op with Cleveland-Cliffs created valuable opportunities for effective research and a deeper understanding of her field. Through her work in process research and materials development, she found clarity in her calling and confidence in her path forward.

Siefring’s co-op experience with Cleveland-Cliffs at their research facilities in Middletown has been a turning point in her engineering education at the University of Dayton. During the spring and summer of her junior year, she held a process research co-op position where she led two primary projects focused on pickling and electrical steel. In the pickling project, she worked to improve the process of removing rust and residue from steel using acid treatments, especially on steel affected by production line-stops.

She also contributed to the development of electrical steel for electric vehicle motors by helping the team meet strict manufacturer specifications. Her work involved troubleshooting issues with steel coating, analyzing efficiency challenges and identifying possible improvements to enhance performance.

“I’ve always been more of a hands-on learner,” Siefring said. “Being able to see what actually happens in lab spaces and understand the physical work environment made all the difference.”

The University of Dayton played a crucial role in helping Siefring find and thrive in this opportunity. Resources such as the Engineering Co-op and Internship Office, career fairs and Handshake were instrumental in her placement, as well as continued support from UD made the experience possible. She credits co-oping with confirming her decision to remain in engineering, providing her with a realistic view of the profession and helping her understand the type of work she enjoys.

“Without my co-op experience, I truly believed I would have changed majors,” Siefring said. “It showed me what engineers do in the workforce and helped me discover what I enjoy.”

Siefring will return to Cleveland-Cliffs this summer, continuing her work in materials research and refining her interests in the industry.

Doerner and Siefring’s co-op journeys reflect the transformative power of applied learning and the strength of the University of Dayton community. With the support of dedicated faculty, career resources and a network of engaged alumni, both students were able to explore their fields in depth, grow as professionals and clarify their futures.

Their experiences underscore the importance of opportunities that connect education to industry and demonstrate how UD empowers its students to make a lasting impact from the classroom to the workplace.