How to break into FSAE, need tips: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 30, 2011 1:27 p.m. Taiden Dork

So I am 23, definition non traditional student, and I'm reattempting my Mechanical Engineering degree.

The school I am attending now has an FSAE program, but it's a "senior design program." Which means that, according to the person who runs it, only seniors who are taking the "FSAE design class" are allowed to help.

I can think of many reasons why this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life, but that's not the point.

If you were in my position, how would you go about making your way into the FSAE program? I've tried the persistance attitude with other similar situations, but I can come off as shiny happy person-ish and that's the last thing I want to do here.

Any ideas or experiences are appreciated.

Edit: now I understand the meaning of "shiny happy person"
Aug. 30, 2011 2:15 p.m. MitchellC Dork

That's rough. At my school, it is a student club, so it must allow any student to join. Most members begin their freshman year and continue on throughout their education.

Your school may approach it in that way to cover funding. From what I remember, our program is funded mostly by corporate and private sponsors, rather than the university itself.
Aug. 30, 2011 2:22 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

I thought the Formula SAE rules required the program to be an open club.
Aug. 30, 2011 2:27 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

join the student chapter of SAE. get to know the members. make sure they get to know you as "the guy who knows how to [insert valuable skill for FSAE here]." find out what event they're planning to hit, and make sure you're hanging out in the SAE lab about a month early. you may only get to help clean / paint / assemble, but they'll come to know you for your capabilities and your willingness to help out in a pinch. when i did FSAE in '90 - '91, it was a senior design class, but we had several underclassmen who volunteered. they helped us, and they learned how the program operated so when they were in a position to lead, they knew what worked and what didn't, and our program got stronger because of it.
Aug. 30, 2011 2:29 p.m. slantvaliant Dork

As Angry Corvair posted while I was typing, show up with skills/assets they can use.
Aug. 30, 2011 2:31 p.m. Type Q Dork

Offer to fund raise. I cannot believe the school is planning covering every cost to get to the competition.

Taiden wrote:

The school I am attending now has an FSAE program, but it's a "senior design program." Which means that, according to the person who runs it, only seniors who are taking the "FSAE design class" are allowed to help.

I can think of many reasons why this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life, but that's not the point.

I agree with you. It sounds like the opposite approach that I advocated when I wrote this a few years ago. http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/fsae/reference/orgteam01.htm

When I was involved the two most valuable people on the team were non-traditional students. One had worked as an FAA certified welder and machinist for a few years. The other was an ex MP (Military Police) working part time as production machinist to pay for school.
Aug. 30, 2011 2:32 p.m. Type Q Dork

AngryCorvair wrote:

they helped us, and they learned how the program operated so when they were in a position to lead, they knew what worked and what didn't, and our program got stronger because of it.

Where did you go to school?
Aug. 30, 2011 3:15 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

Type Q wrote:

AngryCorvair wrote:

they helped us, and they learned how the program operated so when they were in a position to lead, they knew what worked and what didn't, and our program got stronger because of it.

Where did you go to school?

University of Maryland, College Park. Fear the Turtle, bitches!
Aug. 30, 2011 6:55 p.m. flountown Reader

I hate when they leave parts design to "Senior Design Projects" as they rarely ever work out. It is hard for 5 different groups to design optimal components independently of each other when they all need to be packaged into a tiny formula car. Either show up to a meeting, or talk to the professor listed as the adviser. If you can't find contact info, check with the MEM office as they should most likely have stuff on file.