Engineering the Future

Transcript

Let’s hear from Esteban, A student in the Margie and Bill Kleese College of Engineering and Integrated Design. UTSA believes in creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary instruction and research so that students and scholars in different fields can come together to address 21st century challenges. Let’s hear about one of those spots on campus where that collaboration takes place. Over to you, Esteban.

– Howdy, folks. Jumping into college, I saw at the University of Texas at San Antonio due to its nationally ranked Air Force ROTC program and rapidly growing engineering capabilities. The prospect is developing both my academic pursuits and leadership skills at the same time cemented this decision. I was expressly excited to learn at UTSA due to the enriching environment fostered by its faculty and staff alongside the university’s facilities and student resources. During my time at UTSA, I participated in lab work, volunteered as a student university ambassador, engaged with my peers through student organizations, and now find myself working in one of Texas’s most impressive facilities, UTSA Makerspace. As a student staff member, I’m able to learn about the unique machines we house in our facility, make something wacky from them, and then teach what I know to others so they can continue the cycle. From 3D printing to soldering electronics, to even using the big machines in our shop, the possibilities of what one can create are limitless. Thanks to resources like these, I’m able to expand my education journey outside of the classroom and apply what I learned to other projects. One of the great things about facilities such as the Makerspace is that they encourage collaboration between engineering and other integrated design disciplines such as architecture and construction management. Roadrunners have the ability to advance an idea from concept to prototype to a funnel model, all while working in a team-oriented environment. UTSA’s heightened focus on providing students with world-class resources and facilities have enabled me to take a dive like no other into my educational and personal passions. I encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities to grow in their learning and development like I have. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.

– Esteban, the Makerspace is incredible, and it’s great to see that Roadrunners have state-of-the-art facilities where they can turn their ideas into reality. It’s especially cool that you get to work with your classmates firsthand as they sharpen their design and fabrication skills and create some truly amazing projects, thanks again.