Graduate attributes job offer to Six Sigma program

When September 2014 UB graduate Amruta Nayak was job hunting, she applied for a process engineering position at a worldwide automotive interior components supplier, where she would have been stationed at one of the company’s facilities.

Instead, the company – International Automotive Components (IAC) – offered her a project engineer job at its North America Regional Headquarters in Michigan. Nayak credits her education at UB in Lean Six Sigma “almost 100 percent” for garnering a more desirable position that involves regular travel and greater immersion into the corporate landscape.

Nayak participated in the 2013-14 Six Sigma Black Belt Student Certification Program, administered by UB TCIE and the industrial and systems engineering department. Students are placed at a company for two semesters, where they work to eliminate an identified process variation with the support of a UB Master Black Belt mentor.

Her interest in the problem-solving methodology emerged while studying mechanical engineering at the University of Mumbai. Nayak says she realized “how important process improvement is to running an industry” after completing two projects. She was sold on finding an industrial engineering graduate experience that incorporates Six Sigma training.

An Internet search turned up UB, which she describes as having the “best blend of courses as well as an organized program for Six Sigma.” Upon acceptance into the competitive program, Nayak was placed at a bank to help reduce the rate of incoming hang-up calls caused by such reasons as long wait times or incorrect transfers.

Her project led to implementing improvements – including customer service training, making website information accurate, and altering break times for greater employee access – that reduced the abandonment rate by four percent.

Nayak praised the UB program for its content, the unique opportunity it affords young engineers, and the technical and emotional support provided by her mentor.

“I learned how to organize tasks and how to define the problem,” she said. “It helped me understand time management and improved my communication skills. I’m more organized, and more efficient in solving any problem.”