Major: Materials Engineering
Hometown: Mountain View, CA
What made you choose engineering?
I chose engineering because it would allow me to pursue my passion for math and science and equip me with the tools necessary to change the world one day. As the oldest son of two Mexican immigrants, I was raised with the morals and values that have encouraged me to become a leader and pave a strong academic path for my younger brothers. I was taught to be aware of the effects of my actions and how they can shape me into a better person. This role has heavily influenced my life and given me the courage to overcome the adversity I have faced as a first generation Mexican-American student in the field of engineering.
What is your favorite place in San Luis Obispo County and why?
My favorite place in San Luis Obispo County is Montaña de Oro. I am always overtaken by sensations of peace and happiness whenever I stand at its shore’s end. The ocean has always been like a natural remedy to me, relieving the tension, stress and anxiety I accumulate throughout the week. With thousands of acres to explore, Montaña de Oro lives up to its translated name, “Mountain of Gold.” There’s something for everybody – sea arches, sea caves, tide pools, sand dunes, beaches and hills. I will forever cherish the memories that I have made here throughout my time at Cal Poly.
What was your earliest engineering project?
I got my very first taste of the Learn by Doing experience at Cal Poly during my freshman year in my Introduction to Design and Manufacturing class. For our final assignment, our entire class coordinated to produce over 30 air motors in two days. Multiple machining processes were utilized, including the lathe, CNC mill and broaching. Each air motor was tested for functionality and, at the end, nearly all our motors performed flawlessly.
Where do you like to hang out on campus?
Before I injured my knee last year (ACL and meniscus tear playing intramural sports) my safe space was the recreation center. Now, it’s the computer labs in the library on the second floor. I love that it’s spacious, usually empty, clean and has air conditioning for when it’s really hot outside! You can always find me there in between my class periods getting ahead on my schoolwork or relaxing, giving my mind a break before heading off to my next class.
What has been your favorite class and why?
Although I have many, my favorite has been Material Selection for the Life Cycle with Dr. Harding, which I took last year in the spring. We learned about the various techniques available to ensure we select the most sustainable and most cost-effective processes and materials for any given application. More importantly, it helped me develop some of the most important skills needed to ensure I can design and optimize products and processes from a more technical, environmental and economic perspective in any of my future engineering endeavors.
What’s your dream job after graduation?
My dream job after graduation is to work for Nike as a materials engineer. In today’s society, shoes have become an integral part of people’s lives as they function to protect our feet and help shape our individual styles. Their growing influence can be attributed to the fusion of sports, fashion and music, establishing one of the biggest industries and communities of people globally. At an early age, my parents would give me a weekly allowance that I was supposed to spend on school lunch. However, my mind was fixated elsewhere. I was determined to join the sneaker community, so I began to save my weekly allowance in hopes of saving enough money to get a pair of sneakers. While I don’t deprive myself of food anymore, this determination has only grown over the years and has solidified one of my biggest passions in life. Material science has further enabled me to pursue world-changing goals by acting as a bridge connecting the engineering and sneaker communities. What has appealed to me the most about Nike is the fact that they represent a global culture of sport, style and the pursuit of greatness. They are passionate about potential and believe everyone should have the tools to reach theirs. Similarly, I now seek to be a consumer and a creator, aspiring to engineer well-performing and sustainable products for the shoe industry one day.
