1. Hello,
My name is Gregory Shoger and I am a mechanical engineer with a specialization in
product development. I have worked in the product development industry for almost three years,
one for a software company, and two in the commercial and residential lighting industry. I
became interested in math and science very young, which led me to want to become an engineer.
I considered myself an inventor as a child, and once I was in college, my love of math and
science gave me the framework I needed to excel as a mechanical engineering major at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Now that I have worked in product development
full time, I realize there is nothing else I would rather do, and look forward to designing many
new and innovative products in the future.
Currently, I work for a residential and commercial lighting company in Skokie, Illinois.
This job has significantly increased my knowledge of the product development cycle, and what it
takes to bring an idea to fruition. I manage around 15 projects throughout the year, making sure
deadlines are met and the finished product is as good as it can be. The product development
cycle we use starts with an artistic designer handing me a sketch or rendering of a light fixture.
It is then my job over the next year to design the physical components (using Creo), submit the
design for quotations to manufacturers, select the best manufacturer for the project, build
prototypes, adjust prototypes until the best product is realized, begin large scale production, and
assure the quality of production samples. There is a lot of responsibility on the engineers at
Generation Brands to be able to foresee, and avoid, any issues the design may have in
production. I really enjoy using my engineering intuition and experience to think about any
possible problem that could arise, from large scale manufacturing issues to making sure the end
customer is satisfied with the product. I look forward to using the skills I have gained in my
professional experience to take on more difficult design challenges in the future.
The gaps in my work history on my resume (after I graduated college, and between my
internship and my current job) are when I took some time to travel. I wanted to see as much of
the world as I could, and I have been to 23 countries on four continents, traveling by myself. I
believe the experiences I gained while traveling will be invaluable in my growth as a person and
as an engineer. The people I met, cities I stayed in, and adventures I had will continue to
influence me for a long time to come.
I am applying for the Product Development Engineer position because I think I would be
a valuable member to your team. I have the experience and the drive needed to guide projects
across the finish line. Your company would be a wonderful fit for me, and I would be very
interested to work on the projects that you take on. I think I fit the criteria for the position very
well, and I would like the opportunity to interview.
Thanks for your time,
Gregory Shoger