What is your next adventure?

I'm starting a full-time job at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia, where I'll be working on their C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in the structures area. I won't know until I start exactly what I’ll be doing on the aircraft.
 

What about your next adventure are you most looking forward to?

I'm excited to just start applying everything that I've learned in classes and in other experiences I've had and then also just be able to work on something that has a real-world application and an impact on people. Also, I'm from the area, but I haven't seen a lot of the things there. I haven't really explored. I look forward to having a little more free time to go out, explore the area, and meet new people.

Did you have any previous co-op, internship, or research experience in this area?

Yes, so last summer I worked at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, where I worked with the Force Protection Systems Branch, where we tested counter uncrewed aircraft systems, testing radars and sensors like drones. I also helped them create test plans and test cards. I spent one semester under Lee Whitcher, senior research engineer. I worked on testing lithium-ion batteries.  For the past two semesters, I've been working with Selcuk Cimtalay, senior research engineer on systems modeling research. I joined the Georgia Tech Supersonics Club. I was in their structures sub-team, refining my skills on CAD and the different analyses for their aircraft.

How did your educational experience at Georgia Tech help you to achieve your goals?

It’s really the number of opportunities the School offers. Not just the clubs, teams, or groups. There’s always something for everyone, but also the events, like networking opportunities and social events that help bring you out of your shell and meet new people. For me, especially with aerospace-related activities, it helped me better understand the different areas within aerospace and ultimately figure out what I wanted to pursue after graduation.

I also think Georgia Tech is very rigorous. As a transfer student, it hit me a little hard at first. I remember thinking, this isn’t what I was expecting. But it really helped me develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. One of the biggest things I took away was learning how to reach out for help. I didn’t used to be that person, but I learned to go to my professors, TAs, and even friends in my classes to ask questions and get the support I needed.

What advice would you give to an underclassman who would like to follow the same path?

Be confident in yourself, because I definitely wasn’t at the beginning. You know far more than you think you do. At the same time, it’s important to stay humble: don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know and to ask questions. The people around you always have something to teach you, and there’s always room to learn and grow, no matter the environment you’re in.

I also believe in taking full advantage of the opportunities and people around you—those who are there to support and guide you. Even if you don’t think an opportunity is for you, try it anyway. Like my mom always says, how do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t tried it?

You never know who you might meet, what you might discover you enjoy, or how one opportunity could lead to another down the road.