Students compete for gold
The Texas A&M University Kingsville (TAMUK) aero team traveled to Van Nuys, Calif. to compete in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International AERO design competition.
The team showcased what they have been working on all year while getting the opportunity to see the work of other teams alike.
Competing at the international level provides the team the opportunity to network and gain more experience, while doing something they’re passionate about.
“It’s just seeing other universities out there and their students work, you know what were their ideas, their inspirations, and what type of feedback they got and mentors. It was interesting to see those that were prepared and those who were doing everything last second,” Aero team member Job Gonzales said.
Competing in events like these allow young engineers to learn things they wouldn’t learn sitting in a classroom while furthering their resumes.
“I definitely look forward to more competitions. Frankly, I think it’s a great learning experience, and it’s a fun way to get out and get some exposure,” aero team member Martin Ramos said.
Engineering is a tough field that takes pride, passion and dedication.
These three values are truly apparent with the aero team as they overcame adversity while doing something they love.
“I like to see why things function but also how they break and why they break. Learning about the process of how things are manufactured, and the overall thinking process as well as design process is interesting for me, and seeing what small defects can cause a whole delay problem to an entire company,” Gonzales said.
The aero team hopes to continue to showcase their work while networking and expanding their skillset.