Every year, students have the opportunity to participate in field trips that open their eyes to new career paths. This year, a group of students from our Mechatronics and Camino classes visited the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus to explore different engineering paths, including electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineering.
Mateo Armstrong (12), has been interested in engineering for a long time. The trip gave him a deeper understanding of the different pathways that are available within the field of engineering, particularly within mechanical engineering, which is the field that he plans to pursue. He explained that learning about these options was one of the highlights of the visit.
“I really liked learning about the different pathways that were open to me with the field that I’m going into. Mechanical engineering has a lot of opportunities, and it’s great to see how I can influence my future,” Armstrong said.
He spoke about his favorite part of the trip, the campus scavenger hunt, which involved a bingo game designed to help students learn about the different hidden engineering projects scattered around the campus. However, it wasn’t all work. The students also enjoyed milkshakes together, making for a fun and memorable experience.
“There was a bingo game where we had to find all the hidden engineering things around campus. And then we got milkshakes afterward, which was a nice treat,” Armstrong said.
When he was asked how he plans to apply what he’s learned, Armstrong spoke about his goal of finding a good job once he finishes the different courses available to him. He sees engineering as a way to get a fair job and set himself up for a successful future.
“I’m planning on taking the skills that I learn here and getting at least a decent-paying job that will help me later,” Armstrong said.
For students considering joining a program like Mechanical Engineering, Armstrong had some useful advice. He showed that it’s not an easy path, but it’s a worthwhile contribution for those who feel strongly about the field.
“It’s a big investment on your schedule. It takes a lot of time and dedication, but if you’re passionate about learning about Mechatronics, it’s a great program to pursue,” Armstrong said.
The purpose of the field trip was to introduce students to the various engineering pathways and show them the opportunities available within the field. Armstrong said he walked away with a clearer vision of his future career and the steps he needs to take to get there.
“The purpose was to learn about the pathways that were offered to us and give us access to new opportunities that we might not have known about before,” Armstrong said.
Whether students are looking to pursue electrical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering, Armstrong’s experience highlights the importance of exploring different fields and taking advantage of every opportunity to learn. For those considering a future in engineering, the University of Tennessee field trip was an amazing experience filled with valuable lessons for the future.
