Entrepreneurship

Student Spotlight: Rachel

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 07:00:00 +0000

Student Spotlight: Rachel Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 03/09/2018 - 00:00

Hi Rachel!
What is your current e+ Emphasis and Concentration?
e+ Mechanical Emphasis + Engineering Management, Entrepreneurship and STEM Education Concentrations

Why did you choose the program?
I chose Engineering Plus for two reasons. The first was that I fell in love with my experience in Engineering for the Community (GEEN 2400). When I heard Engineering Plus took a more project-based approach, I knew I wanted to be a part of the program. The second reason was that I really wanted to be a part of the start-up/entrepreneurial community, this involves the ability to wear many hats. By doing Engineering Plus I could do just that, study Mechanical Engineering, while developing skills in other areas such as finance and accounting, marketing and classroom interactions, to name a few.

What do you want to do after graduation?
After graduation, I want to work for an entrepreneurial company. I want to be part of a creative, fast-paced environment where I can continue to wear many hats using my engineering, business and communication skills. Eventually, I'd love the experience of launching my own company.

What will you be doing this summer?
This summer I will be doing a 10-week program called Start-Up Summer. In this program, I will have the opportunity to intern 40 hours a week for an entrepreneurial company based in Boulder while simultaneously learning skills necessary for success as an entrepreneur. With other participants in the program, I will be spending an additional 10 hours a week forming my own startup leading up to a pitch competition at the end of the summer.

How did you find your internship?
I was a part of a team developing a marketing plan and pitch for my Technology Ventures and Marketing course last semester (associated with one of my Concentrations). The company my team chose was Give & Go, the winning 2017 New Venture Challenge Team. A member of that team, knowing about my interest in entrepreneurship was kind enough to forward the opportunity onto me!

What advice would you give to an Engineering Plus student looking to find their "dream" internship?
Search internships, take a good look at the job descriptions and question in what role/company could you see yourself being most excited to work. Becoming familiar with what your dream job would be, apply and don't be discouraged if you don't get it at first. Once you know what your dreams are, then you can start becoming intentional about where you place your time and energy building a theme for your resumes, websites and elevator pitches that conveys your story. Most important, by aligning your extracurricular activities with this theme, you will start building a community and a network that's rooting for you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'd want to share additionally to other e+ students that they shouldn't wait to figure out who they are or what their dreams are. If you don't decide what you want, others will decide that for you. You have to know what makes you happy and align your life with that. Pay attention to where your mind goes, when it's not doing what it has to do, pay attention to when you feel most content, and if you find something that makes you passionate, run with it! Most important, start confidently talking about your passions when you vocalize them, people will think of you when they see opportunities that remind them of you! I wouldn't have any of the opportunities I do to work at the ITLL, TA for Technology Ventures and Marketing, or recently to join the Campus Innovation Action team if I hadn't began talking.

When Rachel heard Engineering Plus took a more project-based approach, she knew she wanted to be a part of the program. Her she can be a part of the start-up community, study Mechanical Engineering and develop skills in other areas like classroom interactions, finance and accounting, marketing and more.

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Student Spotlight: Elijah

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 16:45:13 +0000

Student Spotlight: Elijah Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 02/13/2018 - 09:45

Hi Elijah! What is your current Emphasis and Concentration?

Architectural Emphasis + Entrepreneurship Concentration

Why did you choose Engineering Plus?

I chose e+ because I felt like it catered to my creative and ambitious sides. I'm an artist, I love designing and the challenge engineering gives. So, I chose an Architectural Emphasis, but I also have a passion for entrepreneurship and to run my own gig so hopefully that will lead to running companies one day. Engineering Plus does not prohibit this in my engineering career, it encourages it!

What do you want to do after graduation?

After graduation I look to work in third world development. I have a passion to help and experience cultures and communities in developing or impoverished communities. I want to use my engineering and design skills to better lives through the projects I work on.

Tell us about your trip over winter break!

Over winter break I lead a group of ��ƷSM��ӰƬ students to coastal Ecuador to meet up with students from UT Austin to make a difference and learn many things in a small community in Bahia De Caraquez. Together we helped build a home for a local family that had lost theirs during the horrendous earthquake that took place in Bahia back in April of 2016. On top of that we were able to learn from a famous Ecuadorian Architect, Robinson Vega, and explore the wonderful culture and environment of Bahia.

How did you find out about this opportunity?

I originally was a student who had decided to sign up for the trip. A former Engineering Plus student, Lauren, was recruiting for this opportunity and I signed up for what I didn't know was going to be an amazing experience but also an important part in my life and future.

What did you enjoy most from your trip to Ecuador?

This trip was a wonderful reminder of community and how important it is to disconnect, explore and give back. I met wonderful people and had deep meaningful interactions and talks that I felt helped me figure out some of the questions in my life. That usually does not happen in a fast paced American society, like the one we find ourselves in. Experiences such as those definitely stand out.

I learned through experience that often times we need to disconnect from the college life. Through stress, job planning, financial navigation and much more, I feel we find ourselves so caught up that we forget to breathe and relax for a bit. We need to take opportunities and try new things and let our minds explore. When we do this we learn so much about other people, life and also ourselves.

What are your plans after graduation?

I decided that making money and climbing this never ending ladder of success wasn't worth it if I wasn't going to be happy in the end and doing what I love. After graduation I want to pursue my dream of development in third world countries and communities. Regardless of pay or the lack of corporate spotlight, I know experiences like this add so much value to my life that I feel money or typical ideas of success will never make me as rich as this.

What advice would you give Engineering Plus students looking for a similar experience?

I would say go for it! I was nervous or unsure when I heard about the opportunity but it truly puts life into perspective. Study abroad, sign up for this trip or another like it because life is too short. The society we live in today is at times very dull and when you get out there and disconnect from your life in the states you slow down a bit and begin to actually experience authentic relationships, communities and honestly just life itself. So don't hesitate, take advantage while you are still young!

Elijah Gonzales joined the program because he felt it catered to his creative and ambitious sides. He wants to use his architectural engineering emphasis and design skills to make lives better through the projects he works on.

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Student Spotlight: Christian

Anonymous — Tue, 02 May 2017 06:00:00 +0000

Student Spotlight: Christian Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/02/2017 - 00:00

What is your current Emphasis and Concentration?

I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering + Entrepreneurship.

Why did you decide on this combination for your Concentration and Emphasis?

Originally I came to ��ƷSM��ӰƬ to study Aerospace Engineering because ever since I was about 10 years old I could not shake my fascination in airplanes. I used to create basic blue print designs of ideas I had and make working 3D models from paper. It was definitely an obsession. Before that however I wanted to be an architect that would design massive buildings one day. As time went on I found more and more interests that became passions I could see myself pursing. Freshman year I realized that the basis of all my passions was this desire to create and then share what I created. This entrepreneurial spirit has been with me for years, so when I found the potential to combine it with my passion for engineering through e+ I knew I struck gold. By building my degree in e+ I have found that I am building the foundation for numerous doors in the future. To have the opportunity to open even one of those doors and create a company based on one of my passions has become even more real to me because of e+.

Why did you choose Engineering Plus as your major?

After a semester of studying Aerospace Engineering, I felt that I was missing something in my education. I switched into Mechanical Engineering and felt that I was drawing closer to the educational experience that would build the foundation for me to pursue my passions as a career in the future. When a friend of mine told me about the e+ program she was in, I became incredibly curious about what this opportunity might bring. After researching the major a little more I found that it held the missing link. To be able to focus on the branch of engineering that would give me the most versatile skills while gaining hands on experience AND honing my entrepreneurial spirit was an opportunity I could not pass up.

What do you find most unique about this program?

Everyone I have met is happy and passionate about what they are doing with Engineering Plus. Whether they are getting their degree, teaching, or administering and designing the program, they are excited to be there. It feels more like a community than the other two majors I had previously been in. Everyone truly cares about honing the unique interests of one another and that is a really cool thing to be a part of.

What have you gained from an e+ degree, versus a traditional engineering degree?

The fact that I can fashion two of my greatest passions together in a degree that will give me numerous opportunities to gain hands on experience and diversify my skillset is something I never knew was possible. I learn best by doing, not by cramming my brain full of facts and equations and then taking quizzes and exams. Everything e+ has to offer is practical, everything I have learned, am learning, and will learn through the program will help me think quickly on my feet in the workspace.

Christian transferred into the program so he didn't have to choose between his entrepreneurial passion and desire for hands-on engineering experience.

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