From the lab at UT Austin to the shop at Mass PD

It’s May 2022. I finalize my thesis, I finish my classes, and school is over. Six long, but rewarding, years of engineering school are over. A myriad of emotions rush over me. The first is mostly excitement because I have completed my master’s program in mechanical engineering. But I also felt a twinge of nervousness because starting something new always leaves me with a lot of questions. 

Fast forward to July 2022. I begin work as a product design engineer at Mass Product Development. As a recent graduate, I knew I wanted to use the problem-solving skills that I have developed to explore the world of design engineering. During my time here, I have had the opportunity to participate in a variety of tasks such as 3D modeling, prototyping, testing, troubleshooting, reverse engineering, and more. I have also been actively involved in finding suitable suppliers for the different components of the project. One aspect I like about the role is experiencing these components coming together to make a functional product. It is one thing to see a design on screen, but it is entirely different to hold it in your hands. On the flip side, this process has also come with challenges because it has required me to get up to speed on different materials and manufacturing processes. Over time, greater familiarity in these topics has made me even more effective in this role.

Overall, I like that I can make a difference on a variety of products. I look forward to continuing to hone my abilities and working with an interdisciplinary team to create amazing products.