Polymer Materials Testing Co-op – Jiangsu United Testing Services
I am a Wood Products Processing student working as a testing assistant at United Testing Service, a materials testing company in China. During my Co-op placement, I worked on both the physical and chemical testing of metal and plastic materials, focusing on their mechanical properties and compliance with international safety standards.
Specifically, my tasks involve conducting tensile, impact, and compression tests on metal samples, as well as using advanced instruments to analyze the presence of harmful substances in plastics and coatings. Since this was my first experience in a professional lab environment, I actively studied technical manuals and industry standards to familiarize myself with the testing procedures and quality control requirements.
This co-op not only strengthened my understanding of material mechanics and analytical chemistry but also gave me first-hand experience in how a professional lab operates, including task management, data reporting, and collaborative troubleshooting. One important lesson I learned was the value of precision and responsibility, especially after making mistakes in report preparation, which taught me the importance of double-checking and staying composed under pressure.