kb58
UltraDork
10/21/24 9:04 p.m.
Just... be careful making a fun hobby into a career. There's a big difference between working on what you want and when you want, and being told what to do. As a teen, my passion was electronics, spending time in the garage teaching myself most everything, including building several early (late 1970s) computers from scratch. By the time I got to college, I had far more practical experience than anyone in my classes, though it was of limited value in everything except lab classes. After graduating as an EE, that practical experience was probably worth more than the diploma (other than it being required to get a foot in the door at many larger companies). Once doing electronics as a career though... sucked much of the fun out of the activity and I no longer had any interest in persuing it on my own time. In the back of my head, I had always been interested in mechanical stuff, so that opened the door to building cars as a hobby, which kept it fun. "Midlana" and "Kimini" for those unfamiliar with them (Google them).
Between being an EE, having software experience, and having built and flown RC aircraft, I applied to and was hired by an aerospace defense contractor, retiring after 25 years. Getting back on this thread, I knew many managers and heard many stories regarding hiring, and they all had similar themes. That is, the lack of practical experience. Yes, they had good grades, yes, they went to good colleges, but ask them how to heat treat steel, anneal aluminum, deal with ground loops in signal-conditioning circuity, or handle noisy signals with software - usually blank stares, or worse, really bad guesses.
Mini rant: the Worst were fresh graduates who not only expected to start at a six-figure salary, but to be handed a corner office, with assistant. A company car would be appreciated as well. I wish I was kidding. One day I was passing through our lobby and there was a very nervous looking young man in a suit and tie - who looked like he had fallen face-first into a tackle box. Probably had two pounds of metal piercings in his face and ears. We can say that looks don't matter but we all know otherwise - I wished him well.
Mr_Asa said:
David S. Wallens said:
and I have a feeling you’ll see more FSAE content from us in the future. :)
I know that just about every year I was on the team there was talk of a Florida shootout. Get all the Florida teams together and have a weekend playing cars.
It always fell through due to a lack of a sponsor...
Well funny you should say that :). I am actually on the SAE Florida Chapter board as their current director of communications and our largest event we are working toward is a Florida Shootout! We have been building connections and sponsors for the past year and we are really close to reaching out goal.
stafford1500 said:
Paris Van Gorder said:
Here is a little flashback of when I was VP of the Embry Riddle Team. I have so much love for this program and for my old team.
As an Embry-Riddle alum of the 1996 variety, I recall there was a stillborn attempt at the end of that year to get a team together for 97. They managed to get a body buck cut and a lot of design, but no completed car. Of the students who were pushing the team start up, 3 more wound up working in motorsport. It was about that time I took a job in professional motorsport and moved from DAB to California. All five of us wound up working in the CART series at the same time on different teams. At least two of us are still working in motorsport, and one is making sure some of those rockets at the Cape get off the ground safely.
I love to see a fellow Embry-Riddle alum! I will have to tell the current team president about this and see if there are any old photos and records of this car. If you ever want to reach out to the current FSAE team for Riddle, I would be more than happy to help connect you.
Fueled by Caffeine said:
I did Baja. Was a good time and I learned a lot. I no longer work as an engineer but really valued that time.
starting to take my daughter to engineering schools now. She's interested after doing first robotics.
I did FIRST in high school, and it really fueled my passion for engineering. Alot of schools have awesome robotics programs, and funny enough the current Vice President of the Embry Riddle FSAE team also did FIRST and even still volunteers at events and keeps up to date with his old team. I wish her good luck and 1000% recommend trying FIRST out.
In reply to Paris Van Gorder :
She loves FIRST. Her team made worlds last year and as a freshman she was running their go to cnc person. Just like dad.
