Rotation is going great!

Quick update:

My rotation in Data Center Optimization is going really well! Work is keeping me busy - but it sure is exciting. I posted an update for my team, of the project's progress and current status and received great feedback from Chris Spriegel the CTO for GE Transportation and Nate Arnold my ITLP manager!!

More updates to come! :)

Fall Adventures in Erie

Hi Everyone!

Ever wonder what it looks like inside a GE factory? Well now you can, check it out! GE posted a video on YouTube of the Locomotive Engine Plant in Grove City, PA. Grove City is about an hour from Erie, PA. I haven't had the chance to visit this plant so it is really neat to see this video!

It's been a busy Fall but I am really enjoying it.

A few weeks ago my friends from Millcreek Community Church and I went to a Tim Hawkins Concert in Cleveland, OH. Tim is a Christian Comedian ... and hilarious!

"Tim Hawkins is a Christian comedian, songwriter, and singer, best known for parodying popular songs, such as Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take The Wheel" and "The Candy Man" stand-up material based on marriage, homeschooling and parenting."

It was a really fun trip. Afterwards I went to a Waffle House for the first time and had Cheesy Gritz... yum!!

Ok - that's all for now folks!

~Caitlin

Settling in

I feel like I am becoming an adult ... I was up at 9:30am on a Saturday for no particular reason. I think waking up Monday - Friday at 6:45am is getting to me! But I don't mind. I have had a lovely Saturday relaxing around the apartment - a much needed day of relaxation at that.

I have started to settle into a routine and I quite like it. God has blessed me with a wonderful housemate Maggie. I am truly blessed. We are always there for each other in good times and in bad. I was having a rough two days at work this week, a bit stressed out that's all. But Maggie was right there to give me a hug and pray for me! What a blessing that is!

Wednesday night I surprised Maggie with a small birthday party!! We had a lovely mexican dinner and dessert was chocolate cake!

Maggie and I attended a Millcreek Community Church home group on Thursday night. It was in one word AWEsome. I'm really excited to continue going there. Pastor Brad leads the group at his house with his wife Jill. There are about 20 people ages 20-40 years old, married and single. There is even one person that works at GE :) Maggie and I have been praying that God will guide us as to where we shall serve at Millcreek. There are many ministries that could use extra help. At the end of this week we discussed it and came to the conclusion that God has led us both to serve in the Youth Ministry at Millcreek. This is a group of students 7-12th grade and they gather Sunday nights! They are off tomorrow so we will join them the following week! I am really looking forward to it.

Friday GE Transportation unveiled their Tier 4 prototype locomotive! It was a big event with Senators, our big customers and of course our CEO Lorenzo. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted stringent emission standards for the Tier 4. These standards take effect in 2015. Well, GE Transportation likes to stay ahead of the game ... 2 years ahead! To check out the short video I recorded of the locomotive click here.

Now on to continue my relaxing Saturday. Maggie and I are going to make some dinner then watch the final episode of Downton Abbey season 2!!

Starting my first Rotation at GE Transportation

ITLP Junior Bootcamp is over! I have officially completed the first milestone of the Information Technology Leadership Program successfully. During the last day, August 3, awards were handed out and I was recognized for my leadership skills. Out of 103 ITLPs 4 were selected to receive the Team Leadership Award and I was one of them. I attribute my skills to my wonderful and successful mother, Wanda and my Grandpa Baniak and Grandpa Higbee for without their guidance I wouldn't be where I am today. I love you three very much.

I have officially begun my first rotation at GE Transportation. When I came into the plant Monday morning I noticed a huge mural was being painted on one of the sides of a manufacturing building It's not the highest quality because I had to zoom in on my phone. But it is a mining truck and a locomotive with American flags and workers. It's not completed yet though. Pretty neat!

My first rotation is in Data Center Optimization working with data centers in Erie, PA Melbourne, FL Grain Valley, MO and Contagem, Brazil. I will be working remotely with these locations using videoconferencing technologies, teleconferencing and emails but at pivotal points in the projects I will be traveling to the sites. Please keep me in your prayers as I venture to Brazil! (No dates of travel have been confirmed yet)

I'm settling in with my housemate Maggie very well. It's so wonderful to have our own place - we've decorated and hung stuff on the walls too! Cooking together has been a blast but most of all we found a wonderful church, Millcreek Community Church.  http://www.millcreek.org/  We are looking forward to getting "plugged in" at this wonderful church this Fall.

I hope you are all doing well.

More posts to come!

Hello from Detroit

This past month has been quite the experience.

I was lucky enough to take part in a month long training event with 103 other individuals from around the globe. We are a part of GE's Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP). ITLP is a phenomenal two year leadership development program designed for recent college graduates with a passion for technology and people.

This month of training is called Junior Bootcamp. For a good portion of the month we are working on a case study and developing a solution for our customers. Besides the experience of learning new technical skills, such as the JAVA programming language, I learned to work in a diverse group of people. On my team, I was the only American. My group consisted of four other individuals from Poland, Ireland and India. What a great experience!!

We are giving our final presentations tomorrow morning! Then we will part our ways and go back to our separate businesses (GE has seven business among which the 103 ITLPs are split up), though we will all rejoin together again next summer in Shanghai, China for another round of training, Senior Bootcamp.

... okay, back to practicing our presentation!

View from the office in Detroit.