Electronics Grad Travels the World

Shaun Cormier in Paris, France

Shaun Cormier, a 2005 Electronics Engineering Technology bachelor degree graduate, recently landed a dream position with his first choice company, Hasbro Inc. in Pawtucket, RI.  He was originally hired as a temporary employee in the company’s Model Services Department. He recently stopped by the Career Services Office to tell the staff of his being hired full-time by Hasbro, and the opportunity to travel abroad for the International Toy Fairs.

Tell us about the work you do for Hasbro?
I work in the Model Services Department of Hasbro, where I work on a variety of toys.  Mostly I work on servo models (prototype animatronics models).  These mainly consist of toys from the FurReal Friends Brand.  I also work on a number of electronic toys.  For the most part, any toy that has electronics in it, I have worked on in some way. 

Do you get to play with any of the toys?
There are times I do get to play with toys, but that’s only after I have repaired them, finished programming them, or built the electronics for them.  Although to me, programming a toy is just like playing with a toy.  I am programming the movement of the toy for the final production change.

How has your Electronics Engineering Technology training helped you with your position?  What skills do you use?
It has helped me a great deal.  I have to be able to read a circuit schematic and build it to the specifications of the toy.  My courses helped me become knowledgeable with certain electronic components that I use at work.  Soldering is a big part of what I do here, and I have also been able to use some of Ohm’s laws in some of the work I’ve done.  My education has allowed me to be able to build electronic circuits for different prototypes for new product lines.

Can you tell us what toys you are currently working on?
One of the toys I am working on is called Butterscotch.  It is a life size miniature pony that moves its head and blows air out of its nostrils.  I’m working on some new Spiderman toys that won’t be out until 2007, some Transformers, and some of the Playskool line.