UWindsor Summer 2025 Co-op/Internship Rising Star Award winner, Lucas Pineo, built technical expertise, tackled complex challenges and drove real change during his co-op at Ford Motor Company. (VICTOR ROMAO/University of Windsor)
By Victor Romao
Turning classroom knowledge into real-world impact is the goal of every graduate — and for third-year electrical engineering student Lucas Pineo, that dream became reality.
Through a 16-week co-op at Ford Motor Company, Pineo gained hands-on experience that went far beyond textbooks.
“My experience with Ford was phenomenal,” he said.
“I was able to meet and work with professionals, which helped me better understand what I want to do in the future.”
In this Q&A, Pineo shares how his co-op experience shaped his career goals, the lessons he learned and how his time at the University of Windsor prepared him for success.
Q: What made your co-op experience stand out?
A: Working at Ford Motor Company gave me exposure to real-world challenges and collaboration with industry professionals. It wasn’t just about applying theory — it was about learning how to adapt and contribute in a fast-paced environment.
Q: What was the most important lesson you learned?
A: Always stay open to new tasks. When faced with something unfamiliar, I’d say, “There’s only one way to find out.” That mindset helped me learn quickly and show initiative instead of shying away from challenges.
Q: How did your university studies help you succeed?
A: While no course taught me the exact troubleshooting steps for my job, managing six courses per semester taught me how to handle stress and prioritize tasks.
I learned to break problems down and tackle the toughest ones first — a skill that proved invaluable during my placement.
Q: Tell us about your contributions at Ford Motor Company.
A: I started as a safety officer, then moved into documentation and asset tracking, where I introduced a new naming convention for 300 network-connected assets across two plants.
Later, as cybersecurity officer, I co-developed and implemented a new cybersecurity protocol—the first of its kind at Ford Motor Company in Windsor.
This project saved the company millions and required me to train full-time engineers to maintain the system after my term ended.
Q: What new skills or perspectives have you gained from this experience?
A: Confidence was my biggest hurdle. At first, I worried about being misunderstood or making mistakes.
Working independently forced me to overcome those fears.
Communicating with management through emails and meetings improved my professional writing and speaking skills, which boosted my confidence and problem-solving abilities.
Lucas Pineo’s journey demonstrates how hands-on learning can transform academic knowledge into real-world achievement.
His co-op placement at Ford Motor Company not only sharpened his technical skills but also gave him the confidence to navigate complex challenges and deliver meaningful results.
As UWindsor continues to spotlight Rising Star students, stories like Pineo’s highlight the value of adaptability, problem-solving, and the strong support offered by academic and professional communities.
New employers looking to learn more about hiring a co-op student can contact Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships at employer@uwindsor.ca.
This article is part of a series celebrating excellence in experiential learning. Co-operative Education and Workplace Partnerships selected Rising Star Award recipients whose stories will inspire future co-op students throughout the 2025/26 school year.