Say hello to Shane, an AIAA PNW member and council volunteer!
How did you become involved in aerospace?
My first couple years of college I jumped back and forth between mechanical and aerospace engineering a few times until settling on both. Originally I was interested in automotive engineering since my dad was a mechanic but quickly became much more interested in space through involvement with the UB Nanosatellite Lab. Then, I got an internship with Aerojet Rocketdyne in undergrad and the rest is history.
What aspects of your current work do you find most meaningful or exciting?
The most meaningful part of my current job is that I’m contributing to the return of American astronauts to the moon with my work on the MK2 lander! It’s really fulfilling to know that you’re making a positive impact on advancing human spaceflight.
What advice would you give to someone just entering the field?
The advice I’d give to someone entering the field, and not even just aerospace, but engineering in general is: find something that you’re passionate about (this is the real hard part), that makes you actually excited to go to work in the morning…and then never stop asking questions. Find the first principles rationale for everything that’s going on! Learn the history! Get mentorship from the subject matter experts! Then you can begin to really understand whatever product/technology you’re working with and start to contribute to the field.
One hobby, interest, or fun fact you’d like to share:
My biggest hobby: hiking and camping, and the PNW is the place to be for all that!
What AIAA means to you:
To me, AIAA is about being able to form connections with colleagues across fields and businesses as well as maintaining a connection to the history of the aerospace industry: both it’s most influential technology and it’s most influential technical experts