Editor’s Note: This is a guest blog post by Kettering student Charles ‘Chaz’ Mancino. Chaz is from Fredonia, New York, and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. If you’d like to write a guest blog post, email phayes(at)kettering(dot)edu. 

By Chaz Mancino

Six months ago, I was preparing for the 2014 Formula SAE Lincoln competition. Little did I know that the next six months would accelerate me through what can only be described as the world of engineering.

This past summer term was my first school term at Kettering University with twenty credits. Five classes. Countless hours and late nights. As it turned out, I received the highest GPA that I have had so far at Kettering University.

Next was this current work term. Since this is my fifth work term and the department that I am in is similar to the department that I was in my first work term, I have been given more responsibility. Instead of having one major project and several smaller ones like in the past, I have been given several important projects that need to be taken care of … right away. Juggling three or more tasks is definitely easier said than done, but it makes work interesting working on multiple projects at the same time. Not to mention that I am reaching towards my dream of officially becoming an engineer.

While school and work alone are not bad, throw being a member of the Formula SAE team into the mix. Then add being a lead designer of the Formula SAE team into the mix. That is right. The chassis of GMI2015 is in the process of being designed by yours truly. Although it is a lot of work, I am excited that I finally have the opportunity to chase my dream of designing an automobile. While I am not designing the whole car, the chassis is one of the most important parts of a vehicle and designing one will certainly help me accomplish my dream.

The past six months have gone by fast and caused me to go deep into the world of engineering. I am very thankful for the opportunities that Kettering University has given me and look forward to what the future has in store for me. Because of these opportunities, I am closer than ever to accomplishing my dreams. That must be the sign of junior year.