What is your next adventure?

I have a return offer from Northrop Grumman. It is based in Northern California, and I would be working with their manufacturing teams within the marine systems sector. My plan is to relax and travel a bit next spring and start full-time around May or June.

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

I’m looking forward to returning to the West Coast, where I have spent the past few summers, and continuing to pursue my interests within and outside of work. Northrop Grumman is always developing new technologies that I’m excited to potentially contribute to. I want to develop a diverse skillset in my first few years before eventually specializing in a field or skill that I’m passionate about.

I enjoy the outdoors including hiking, playing pick-up sports, and I want to get into skiing. I think California includes something for all my interests including the diverse cuisine, ideal weather, friends from my previous experiences, and Shohei Ohtani (baseball pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers). I look forward to developing my career and my personal ambitions.

Did you have any previous co-op, internship, or research experience in this area?
I interned at Northrop Grumman last summer on their tool design team within their manufacturing group. I designed tools and fixtures that helped engineers, technicians, and machinists perform their work easier.

Prior to that, I completed a co-op with Rolls Royce. I did three rotations between August 2022 and April 2024. I gained ample experience familiarizing myself with the jet engine products that Rolls-Royce develops and working with the manufacturing and design teams. I had the unique opportunity of contributing to the transition from Research & Development (R&D) into production at one of the satellite facilities.

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

Georgia Tech provided me with all the resources that I needed to succeed, whether I initially thought I would need it or not. The curriculum is diverse and exposes you to so many aspects of the aerospace industry. It allows you to figure out what your preferences and interests are. We have incredible networking opportunities here, and the aerospace industry connections are top-tier. I will always appreciate the people who I met, worked with, and helped me. I have never met a person at Georgia Tech who genuinely did not want me to succeed. Georgia Tech also teaches you a strong work ethic because the courseload provides big challenges. You have to learn how to solve your own problems, but you also know that there are people who will motivate you and who want you to succeed.

I was on the Solar Racing Team working on their aerobody design. Solar racing helped me during my underclassman years learn how to put my concepts from the classroom into real-life situations and prepare for my internships.

I started working in the video broadcasting department and that took up a lot of time because we were always busy with football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. I watch a lot of sports, and it was an incredible experience working with Georgia Tech in our Athletics department.

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

I came here during COVID, so that was a little bit different. In general, put yourself out there, think of a few interests you have, and then find what can help you pursue those interests.

There are so many clubs where you can find your niche. People are approachable. Atlanta and Georgia Tech are hubs for future industry leaders. Don’t be afraid to go up to someone and start a conversation. You never know if that’s your future best friend, mentor, or business partner.

Also, learn and do non-engineering activities. Even though I was an aerospace major, I was able to work in the broadcasting department within Athletics. I get to work behind the scenes of broadcasting sports, and I’ve met Calvin Johnson and Joe Hamilton. Most schools have broadcasting majors that would do my job. As an engineering school, we are given the opportunity to pursue these avenues. You can be yourself at Georgia Tech, and that doesn’t just have to be engineering related.