Meet the SEI Students

Name		Major		Hometown
Rachel Anderson		Electrical Engineering		Humble, Texas
Daniel Araya		Aerospace Engineering		Cedar Hill, Texas
Kyle Banner		Electrical Engineering		Houston, Texas
Allison Barnard		Mechanical Engineering		Portland, Texas
Angelo Bianchini		Mechanical Engineering		Liberty Hill, Texas
Kelli Boehringer		Aerospace Engineering		Fort Worth, Texas
Amy Bolon		Mechanical Engineering		Friendswood, Texas
Scott Bourgeois		Aerospace Engineering		Belle Chasse, Louisiana
Jesse Bowes		Computer Science		Tyler, Texas
Alicia Broederdorf		Aerospace Engineering		Crystal Lake, Illinois
Jahaziel Chavira		MechanicalEngineering		Texas
Aaron Colunga		Aerospace Engineering		McAllen, Texas
Jacalyn Cossette		Aerospace Engineering		Lino Lakes, Minnesota
Quentin Donnellan		Aerospace Engineering		Lago Vista, Texas
Jason Espinoza		Mechanical Engineering		Corpus Christi, Texas
Kristin Holmstrom		Aerospace Engineering		Georgetown, Texas
Julianne Larson		Aerospace Engineering		Houston, Texas
Erin Lee		Aerospace Engineering		Houston, Texas
Chi Mai		Aerospace Engineering		Fort Worth, Texas
Ryan Martinez		Aerospace Engineering		Crosby, Texas
James Monroe		Mechanical Engineering		Edinburg, Texas
Ivan Morin		Aerspace Engineering		Houston, Texas
Cheryl Morrill		Mechanical Engineering		Highlands, Texas
Paul Oberlin		Mechanica Engineering		Bellaire, Texas
John Quinones		Computer Engineering		San Antonio, Texas
Moriah Thompson		Biomedical Engineering		Richardson, Texas
Dennis Underwood		Aerospace Engineering		McAllen, Texas
Veronica Valero		Electrical Engineering		Forth Worth, Texas
Katy Westhoff		Aerospace Engineering		Porter, Texas
Matthew Wilson		Computer Engineering		Roundrock, Texas
Pamela Withrow		Electrical Engineering		Houston, Texas

Rachel Anderson

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Working at the Space Engineering Institute has been a great experience. I get to apply what I have learned in the classroom and use it at work. This really helps with building engineering skills. Also, I have learned how to manage my time so that I can get all of my class work done and still have time to work.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part about participating in the SEI is getting to meet lots of interesting and intelligent people. I have always been interested in NASA and in the Space Program and it's so great to meet people that actually work there. Also, the atmosphere at the SEI is always so friendly. If I ever have a problem or some homework I need help with, everyone is more than happy to help me out.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I believe that I am ahead of my peers. Most students, especially freshman, that come to college have little work experience especially in the engineering industry. By working at the SEI, I'm already one step ahead. I get to see what it is like to be an engineer and I have a better understanding of what is going on in my classes because of it.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I've always had an interest in a career in space. The SEI just broadened my perspective on what goes on in the space industry. It's definitely a great opportunity that I would recommend to anybody.
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Daniel Araya

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Time management is a crucial survival skill for college academics. By having to balance my studies with my required work schedule SEI has reformed my procrastination habits of old, and through experience I have learned that, "The less time you have, the less time you have to waste." SEI has also brought more and more great opportunities my way such as direct contacts with NASA centers and design projects I wouldn't hope to see otherwise until I was at least an undergraduate senior. The exciting future of space engineering is waiting to be claimed and SEI is my golden ticket.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I really like the project that I am working on here at SEI. I am working with the green team to design and build the picosatellite, and it is as fun and exciting as it is challenging. The resources of this facility include a lab devoted solely to the students of SEI. This lab is no "add baking soda to vinegar and watch it fizz" type lab, in our training sessions we learn to solder circuit boards and create working electronics like radios and RF transmitters, which is really cool.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I think the greatest difference I see between my peers and me in college classes is when it comes to making presentations. Presentation experience is so very important to any field of interest but to engineering especially because as an engineer it is extremely important to convey ideas and concepts in a clear, concise, and understandable format for any audience. In this regard SEI has done an excellent job at teaching me the proper ways of presenting because we regularly give either individual or team presentations for semester reports, training projects, and other related work. Other than that, SEI has obviously put me ahead of my peers by introducing real world applications of the material I see in the classroom.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? My interest in space came first; this program just adds positive reinforcement. This last year I especially enjoyed having guest speakers like Dr. Aaron Cohen, former NASA deputy administrator, come talk one on one with us, the SEI students, as extra incentive for pursuing a space career. It's also great
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Kyle Banner

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The Space Engineering Institute has taught me more about engineering than my classes have. This is not a insult to A&M, but any kind of actual experience in a field will teach you more than a theoretical classroom setting. The Space Engineering Institute accelerates the learning experience, giving you insight into what you could be doing for the rest of your life, and gives you a chance to recognize if you actually want to be an engineer.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part about the Space Engineering Institute is that it has exposed me to the different disciplines in engineering. For instance, I had no idea what type of engineering I wanted to be upon coming into A&M. I now have an idea what every discipline does, and I can make a better-informed decision on which discipline I want to pursue.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? This program has absolutely put me ahead of my peers. I have more experience with meeting settings, engineering team experience, tasks that don’t involve grades as a motivation, and many others. The different training sessions have given me an edge as well, giving me skills that my peers will not receive until they are actually in the working world.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? As a part of the Space Engineering Institute, I have taken many trips to NASA. These trips have shown me space research in action, and how they impact the world around us. At SEI, we are doing the same thing, aiding NASA (in some projects) in their mission toward creating value for the world around us. Seeing these real-world applications of a career in space has driven me to pursue such an occupation.
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Allison Barnard

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The Space Engineering Institute has given me the chance to get off campus during the week and be exposed to the real life of professional engineers. It is a learning experience, even more so than the classroom is.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I have really enjoyed getting to meet students with the same interests and career goals, as well as professionals in a field I want to pursue.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I believe the program really has given me a head start in the engineering world. I have experience on the job, working in a team to get projects done on deadlines. I know how to solder, and the job gives me the extra money I need for college expenses.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? The space industry has always been interesting to me, but I always thought it would end up as a hobby, not a career. This program has given me the opportunity to get into the industry and get some real experience, opening doors to what could be my future dream job. The program has also exposed me to a lot of the latest technology in the field, and news of developments that I would not have heard of otherwise.
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Angelo Bianchini

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The SEI program provides an outlet for my creativity and has helped to show me a practical application of the material that I learned in class. Another advantage is having upper classmen and students who have graduated from Texas A&M around to talk about classes.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The skills you learn while tackling real world engineering problem has shown me why I want to be an engineer.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? No amount of class work can substitute for the real experience of working with your peers. You learn to create a timeline for a project an setup a budget which prepares you for the engineering industry.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? The SEI showed me that the space industry is a diverse group of engineers. Any engineer can work in the design and implementation of a space related hardware or equipment.
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Kelli Boehringer

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. SEI has helped me not only adjust to college, but also helped me excel. Working the 10 hours a week has helped me to learn principles that I have used and needed in my class. Solid Works, principles of metals, and other useful engineering information has had to be used at work, then carried over to school. Also, the upperclassmen that I work with have been a great help when I had questions about classes, professors, or homework.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? SEI has given me real experience into what engineering is. I have worked on real engineering projects with older and more experienced engineers. These projects have helped me confirm that engineering is the major of my choice and that this is what I want to do.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Yes. SEI has allowed me to know what is going on when we start talking about different engineering principles in class. Learning different engineering programs has allowed me to be ahead of the class when we start designing and computing in engineering class. I also feel I have an advantage simply because I have worked in a team atmosphere on projects that have a real life impact and use. Not many freshman have a chance to work with a team through the entire design process, including research, designing, fabrication, and testing.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? Through different field trips and meeting with older engineers, I have been able to see the engineering world in its everyday face value. I have met with engineers from NASA and Lockheed, and been able to talk with them about what they do and if the hype is all it seems. Taking trips to NASA and seeing all the possible jobs and employment opportunities has only made me want to work in the space industry more.
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Amy Bolon

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The SEI program has really helped me with my classes and kept me interested in engineering.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute?
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? The program has put me ahead of my peers because I have been able to talk to others that have previously gone through the classes and understand the material. It's also been nice to have real world experience to apply what I learned in class.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I was always interested in a career in space, SEI just increased my interest. It also helped me realize how much I could be doing in a career in space.
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Scott Bourgeois

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. SEI has taught me how to apply what I learn in class to real world situations. It has also helped me develop real engineering skills and given me good experience in working with teams.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best parts are getting paid to do something you really enjoy and meeting a lot of new people.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? It definitly has. Not only do I get to apply what I learn in class, but I am exposed to material that hasn't been taught yet or won't be taught
How has the program interested you in a career in space? It has definitly helped me reailize how big the space industry is and that there is something for everyone in it.
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Jesse Bowes

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The SEI program has been a way to earn some extra money at school while reinforcing the things I learn in class. Through the application of what I learn, I now have a better understanding of what I was taught in classes.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The connections that you make in the SEI program are possibly the best aspect of this program. After I graduate, I will already have a broad scope of individuals in the space industry that will be able to help me get a job that I really want.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? This program gives me the advantage of working in a team based environment on projects that are actually used in the space industry. Through this hands on experience, I am gaining skills that you just can't learn in the classroom, and seeing how the things that I am learning in classes can be applied.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? This program has shown me that earning a job in the space industry is a very obtainable goal. I have seen how things work behind the scene, which has only furthered my interest in a space related career.
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Alicia Broederdorf

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Working at the Space Engineering Institute has been a great introduction into engineering. You get to work through the engineering process, meet great mentor engineers, and apply what you are learning in the classroom. The classroom coincides with work very well. You can take things from the classroom into work, but you can also take things you learn at work and apply it to the classroom.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I think the best part of participating in the Space Engineering Institute is working with the people here. The engineers at SEI are a great resource. They can give you advice on a project or just help explain concepts to you. You get to work with upperclassmen who are also very helpful. They have been through a lot of what you have so they can explain different programs or ideas. They can also help give you advice on things, such as classes. In addition, there are many great people here that serve as some very valuable contacts or references when you start looking for an internship or co-op. The atmosphere here is amazing and people are always willing to help you out.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? The Space Engineering Program has definitely put me ahead of my peers. I have learned design programs at work which we learn at school, so I already know how to use the programs and am able to help my classmates. Also, a lot of things that they do in class you have done at work so you understand the application in industry better. It is very helpful to do some of the basics at SEI like writing reports and giving presentations because it gives you a good background for when you have to do that for class.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I was already interested in space, but this program has taken that dream and made it a reality. You dream about going into or designing something for space when you are little, but at the Space Engineering Institute you are surrounded by people who are already doing it and you get to be a part of that. This program has allowed me to confirm that I really do want a career in the space industry by exposing me to many different aspects of the industry.
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Jahaziel Chavira

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. SEI has helped me in getting a lot of hands on experience with working with teams, and solving real application problems. SEI has also helped me to see the significance of what I am studying for my classes by applying them in the workplace.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part would have to be that you get paid to have fun and learn instead of simply only going to school. It also it provides a lot of opportunities in regards to getting an internship.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? believe that SEI has put me ahead as far as solving problems that are space related. It has also provided me with experience in dealing with deadlines, budgeting of time and money, which is sometimes not provide in the classroom.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? It has provided me an interest in a career in space because it has allowed me to see a glimpse into how a project relating to space would be solved. It has shown me that there are a lot of details and issues that have to be observed while trying to solve a space related project. Because of the detailed oriented environment I have become interested in a career in space.
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Aaron Colunga

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Probably the most useful skills I have learned from working at SEI are time management and real life applications of engineering. Working at SEI makes me plan and keep a schedule that allows me to complete all my school and SEI work. Also, applying the knowledge and skills that we learn in the classroom to actual work is a great experience
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I think the best part is getting to work on actual space related engineering problems instead of just homework problems which is what we are used to dealing with
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I think so because the majority of my peers may be recieving the same formal education in the classrom, but they are definetly not getting the work experience that I am getting through SEI.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I was already interested in a space career, but SEI definetly reinforced that interest. Also, I now realize how diverse of a field it actually is and all the the different oppurtunities there are.
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Jacalyn Cossette

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. I learned several concepts and computer applications at SEI that I later learned in class. Being familiar with these applications made the classes much easier. Also, I am able to connect with other students, especially upperclassmen and graduate students, whom I otherwise would not have contact with.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? Getting to learn new things in the field I’m interested in and get paid to do it at the same time. Also, I have met some very cool people that have become my friends.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Yes, in classes I am familiar with many concepts and computer programs that we are supposed to be just learned. More importantly, I have invaluable real-life experience that not many other undergraduates have. This will help me to get internships and finally a great career in the future.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I have found that there are many more aspects of space technology than I originally thought. With such a broad range of potential tasks and projects, I am sure that I will eventually be able to find a career that I truly enjoy and am interested in.
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Quentin Donnellan

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. More than anything SEI has given me the opportunity to be exposed to real life applications of engineering. Everyone sees the formulas and proofs in class, but only at the SEI have I been exposed to actual hands on demonstrations and experiments.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The most rewarding aspect of the SEI is working with professionals who have been through everything that I am going through right now, and who know the answer to just about any question you could ask them. Their experiences and connections help me tremendously in my growth as an undergraduate student.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? There is no doubt that SEI has put me slightly ahead of my peers. Very few people in my class have actually spent a lot of time on SolidWorks outside of class, or designed a stowage system for NASA from scratch. (And those who have are working here at the SEI!)
How has the program interested you in a career in space? This program has definitely increased my interest in a career in space. I was already mostly committed to doing space research, and the SEI has only served to strengthen that commitment. I am sure that the connections I've made with the SEI and the professionals who work at the STC will be invaluable resources when it comes time to launch this career.
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Jason Espinoza

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The Space Engineering Institute has helped me to succeed in decision making as well as time management. I have learned that time is something very valuable and that you can’t waste by being a procrastinator. Working at the Space Engineering Institute has made me work hard to meet deadlines and made me a more responsible person.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I think the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute is the real world aspect that it provides. The blue team has spent an entire year working together on one engineering design project and it has really given the team time to grow together. At the same time, the project the team has faced involves real world applications. The Space Engineering Institute allows you to take the material that you learn in the classroom and to apply it to an application where limitations are real.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I believe that the Space Engineering Institute has put me ahead of my peers. I think that the team work aspect as well as the real design projects have made me more of a team member and have more confidence. I have also learned how to use engineering programs at the SEI like SolidWorks that the students at Texas A&M are not taught until later. The SEI will continue to offer great projects that will further help all its students be better leaders.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? The SEI has given the blue team a chance to compete in the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge in which the teams from schools all over Texas are presented with a space engineering problem. Because of the team’s experience in the Design Challenge, I have become more interested in the problems of space and how engineers are needed everywhere, not just in oil rigs. I would like to work on mechanisms in space (1/6th gravity) and am glad that the SEI has brought me closer to that opportunity.
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Kristin Holmstrom

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. SEI has given me a great job that I really enjoy. It is a good break from class, but at work, you are still engaging your mind.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part of SEI was getting to know and work with NASA engineers.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? This program has definitely put me ahead of my peers. I have some real life engineering experience, applying the things I learn in class to my work. How has the program interested you in a career in space? This program helped me realize that the space industry is the place for me.
How has the program interested you in a career in space?
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Julianne Larson

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The SEI has helped me in many ways. For one, having a job you looking forward to and feel honored to take part in is something I don't think I could have anywhere else. Not only have I made many friends at SEI, but I have learned many things I wouldn't have been exposed to otherwise.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I enjoy our visits to Johnson Space Center the most! Before college, I had visited the Space Center many times, but with SEI, you get to go behind the scenes. Also, I had the opportunity to visit the Nuclear Testing Center here at A&M. Seeing presentations from NASA employees, as training, is very inspiring, too.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Definitely. Engineering is a difficult major, and being able to apply what you are learning really helps. There is also help for your classes through SEI if you need it. Also, you must work as a team which is a skill that will help in any project you are given.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I was already interested in a career in space, but doing research for a NASA project has strengthened my passion for the field.
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Erin Lee

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Chi Mai

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. While I work in teams in my classes, most of those teams will probably not produce something that will actually be made. SEI projects are real projects, and it is great knowing that I am contributing to something that will actually make a difference. Another plus is the ability to work and get to know the upperclassmen, graduate students, and mentors. They not only help you with your project work but also help you with your schoolwork.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? Meeting new people and learning new things from them is definitely an advantage of being a part of SEI. Engineering teams are seldom composed of one type of engineer, and this diversity meshes together to produce an amazing result, whether it be a satellite, a versatile computer program, or a voice command system. Working at SEI allowed me to see how the knowledge and experiences of many people can combine to accomplish a vision.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Working at SEI is more than timing in, working at a computer, and then timing out. Training opportunities throughout the semester have introduced me to the basics of project management and how to become a professional. Training can also involve things such as fabrication, learning how to make technical reports and timelines, and learning how to program. To know how to do these things as a freshman will undoubtedly help me as I progress into my upper-level classes.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? There is so much more that goes on in space besides the space shuttle and the International Space Station. SEI has shown me the variety of things that can be done in space and the ongoing projects here will make certain that they will happen. Working at a space center is not all about designing things to operate in a vacuum because there are also biological and physiological factors to consider. This has shown me that there are numerous space-related careers that I can pursue
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Ryan Martinez

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. SEI has prepared me in several different arenas of college life. First and foremost, SEI has given me the opportunity to connect with fellow classmates who are both inspiring and informative. Also, the training and experience gained through my time at SEI has given me ample opportunity to apply knowledge I've learned in the classroom, as well as culture new skills acquired while on the job. Overall, SEI has given me an insight into real world engineering applications, allowing me to focus on what will benefit me the most throughout my college career.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The most appealing aspect of participating in the Space Engineering Institute is learning how to socialize within a work community while still remaining effective with respect to the task at hand. The relationships built during my time at SEI have proved more beneficial than I originally imagined. Not only have I become more acquainted with the work load of an engineer, but I have made numerous friends, received guidance, and become a better communicator.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I definitely believe that SEI has pushed me ahead of my competition. I say this because I have already undergone radically accelerated learning, processes associated with fields I knew nothing about, I've been required to demonstrate all of my knowledge before educated audiences- leaving me little choice but to fully define every angle of the subject, and I've learned programming skills, as well as research skills, I would otherwise have to have gained on my own. This program has pushed me years ahead of my status in terms of work experience.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? At first glance, all space related subjects seem daunting. For this reason, many engineers attempt to steer clear of the field. However, at SEI, the projects are demonstrative of how space designs require the same knowledge that terran projects due. There are more limitations, boundaries, and preparations required, yet the process is similar. These boundaries are the challenges that make a career in space worth while. I have been encouraged by SEI to pursue a space-related career, and plan to continue growing in this wealth of knowledge until that opportunity presents itself.
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James Monroe

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. There have been times when I thought that engineering might not be worth all the work and frustration, but the Space Engineering Institute has shown me what real engineers do. I realize that there's nothing else I would rather be.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? My favorite part is working with a team to solve problems.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I wouldn't say ahead of my piers, but I do find that I understand why we learn certain things in our classes.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? I'm really interested in materials and materials science. In the aerospace industry there are countless applications for materials engineering and the like.
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Cheryl Morrill

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Working at the Space Engineering Institute has helped me to meet other students with similar interests. It’s beneficial because you already know a few people in your classes and form study groups for subjects you have together. Plus the older students that you work with have been through everything before so you can ask them questions.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part about the program is getting to work on actual engineering projects while you are still an undergraduate. It helps you obtain a better understanding for the role engineers’ play and makes you realize that it is a very diverse field.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Yes because at SEI we learn computer programs before they are taught in class. Many times a professor has asked the class if anyone had used Solid Works or Visio before and only a few people raised their hands, mostly the students that worked at the Space Engineering Institute. The program gives you a heads up on programs that you will use later and also expands your knowledge on the skills you learn in class.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? Working here has made me want to work in the space field more. The Space Engineering Institute offers many great opportunities and has taught me a lot about engineering which has made me more confidant about one day working for NASA.
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Paul Oberlin

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Being a part of the SEI has shown me practical applications for some of the topics covered in my classes and has given me a meaningful work experience.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? Working with your peers and enthusiastic professionals and the weekly training sessions.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Yes, SEI has put me ahead of my peers because I have been exposed to and learned material that is usually presented in upper level courses.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? This program has given me a realistic look at the complexity of the inner workings of engineering projects in a professional setting and has furthered my interest in the field.
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John Quinones

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience.
Having a job (especially one as great as this one) and balancing school responsibilities has definitely taught me to manage my time more efficiently. The Space Engineering Institute has quickly turned my keen interest in space into to something that I would not mind having a career in. I really don't like to call what I do my job, simply because many people take the word "job" and reference it to a negative connotation. What I do is something that enjoy and never dread doing. Many college students choice of work is something they dislike, or is somewhat disappointing to them. Myself on the other hand, I love what I do, and that's why I can say that working at the SEI has without a doubt made my college experience more enjoyable.

What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute?
The great thing about participating in the SEI program is all the hands-on experience you gain. Being a computer engineer major, I actually apply what I learn in the classroom to what I do at work. Working in the laboratory is awesome. During lab, we the SEI students solder computer components onto computer boards, which is great for me, seeing how my major applies and all. Also, meeting and making new friends from across the state and country really makes working here all the more enjoyable. Working in teams allows us to think "outside the box" and become better problem solvers. I feel that the team I am in has great chemistry and allows us to be more productive and just too simply have more fun.

Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how?
Absolutely! I mean where else can a teenage student learn to build a ground control system for a satellite? When I tell friends back in San Antonio what I do, they are simply awed at the technology and instruments that I deal with at work. I constantly get remarks such as "that's cool" or "how did you end up with that job?" What I tell them is that I just took the chance to apply to the SEI program and lucked out. I'm no different from any other student; I just took the chance and knew that I had nothing to lose in applying. Therefore, I encourage any student with the slightest interest in space just to take the chance and apply, the little effort you take now can perhaps determine where you are 10 years from now. Who knows, maybe you'll be here with me and be part of the Purple Team, the best team of the SEI program!

How has the program interested you in a career in space? I must say that when I first started my interest in space was not as great as others. However, working at the SEI has really shown me just how interesting space is, in particular space exploration. I mean, everyone wants to know what's out there or what's going on up there. I'm not saying we hold the secrets to life or anything, but here at the SEI, we have educated mentors who are willing to answer any questions that we have, no matter how radical they may be. The door to space exploration has barely begun to be knocked on, wouldn't it be great to be there when the door opens?

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Moriah Thompson

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. Working at SEI has allowed me to see how I can apply the concepts that I am learning in my classes to actual engineering problems. I also came into contact with older students and mentors that offered me help and advice throughout the year.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The trips to the Johnson Space Center were very enjoyable. At the JSC we were exposed to upcoming space related technology, and we were able to get a behind the scenes look at many of the projects. We also came in contact with a number of engineers within the industry through the trips and seminars that were offered throughout the year.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Yes. My experience at SEI has given me a taste of what engineering is all about. Working at SEI has motivated me in my studies by giving purpose to what I am learning in my classes. Also, the training sessions offered information and hands on experiences that I did not receive in my classes.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? The trips and seminars held throughout the year have made me realize that there are lots of opportunities within the space industry. Specifically, I found that there is a large biomedical aspect of the space industry which I would like to pursue in my future career.
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Dennis Underwood

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. I have seen many things in SEI that later appeared in my classes, such as coordinate transformations and orbital mechanics. It has also been invaluable in my search for a summer internship after my sophomore year.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The hands-on lab work has probably been my favorite. Being able to solder together an FM transmitter and radio that actually work has been great.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I definitely believe that I'm ahead of the game. The contacts I've made here have been much more helpful than the advising offices on campus. It is much easier to talk to the engineers here than it is to talk to professors in the lower level classes of over a hundred people. As a result of my work here I have been able to work with the MIMIC and AggieSat programs, which I hope to continue in the future.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? My interest in space has become much better defined as a result of my work here. I can actually see a path leading toward a space career, rather than it being only a dream for the future.
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Veronica Valero

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The SEI has taught me how to do research, how to work in a team, and how to manage my time.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part about participating in the SEI is getting real technical experience.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? Yes, I believe this program has put me ahead of my peers because I have learned things here that I later learn in class.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? Before starting at the SEI, I was unsure if I wanted to have a career in space, but after working here I am definitely considering it.
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Katy Westhoff

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The transition from high school to college has been difficult, but the extra responsibility of working at SEI has taught me how to use my time productively, and now I'm not as prone to procrastinating like I was in high school. I have also met upperclassmen who can give me advice about classes and college life in general. The trainings and working on the project reinforce what I am learning in the classroom, so now classes seem more interesting to me. I believe my interest in my classes is reflected in my grades, as well.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part of working at SEI is that I am working with upperclassmen who can give me advice about my classes, professors, study habits, homework, etc. It has really helped my transition from high school to college to be able to talk to someone who has already gone through what I'm going through now.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? This program gives students an inside look into the space industry. We engineer solutions to real problems, so we are actually applying what we learn in the classroom. This is especially helpful to freshmen who become frustrated with the basic engineering classes; they see what they could be doing if they can just stick it out, so it provides some extra motivation to study that much harder. In that respect, I feel I am way ahead of my peers because I have experienced how the information we learn in class will be applied in industry.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? In training, I have heard speakers from NASA, Lockheed Martin, and several other companies in the space industry. They describe what their companies do and what they hope to be able to do by the time I graduate. This has opened my interests up to more than just working at NASA, which was my original plan.
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Matthew Wilson

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. The Space Engineering Institute has been a great way to apply what I have learned in my engineering classes, earn some spending money, and meet people in various engineering disciplines.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? The best part has been the real engineering experience that you can't get in your classes.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I think the program has given me a jump start by allowing me to get more experience while I am in school.
How has the program interested you in a career in space? : I have always had an interest in a career in space. The SEI program has allowed me to realize that many different disciplines of engineering can work in the industry.
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Pamela Withrow

Describe how the Space Engineering Institute has helped you in your College experience. SEI has helped me find many of the resources I’ve found that I needed in some of my classes. Many of the trainings that I’ve attended have directly correlated with the coursework I was currently taking. It’s opened up a broad range of resources that I wouldn’t have found otherwise, and has helped tremendously when it comes to managing my time.
What was the best part about participating in the Space Engineering Institute? I’m learning about things that correspond directly to my major, and will prepare me for Co-Ops, internships, and jobs outside of school. The trainings itself is a great opportunity, that I probably wouldn’t have been able to take advantage of if I hadn’t been involved here.
Do you believe this program has put you ahead of your peers? If so, how? I think so. It’s helped me especially in interviews, when questions are asked about what type of experience I’ve had until now—I can tell the interviewer about experiences with SEI. Also, the project I’m involved in directly relates to outside project management skills. The design—build—sell process is apparent here, and it’s great!
How has the program interested you in a career in space? It’s opened my eyes to different career choices corresponding to space, but the interest has always been there. It has helped me realize that there’s definitely more to a “Career in space” than just NASA, USA, and Boeing.
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