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Thread: FSAE: The Sacrifices We Make

  1. #11
    FSAE is a lifestyle (don't exclude Baja =P). When I got into college I quickly realized that the majority of seniors I talked to had never done any engineering design whatsoever... I was rather confused. Then I found out that besides the rare aspiring individual, anyone who had actually designed something came from Baja (the FSAE team was in shambles when I arrived, didn't even know Tech had it). Knowing that TN Tech's Baja team was basically number one in the world, I then made it my goal to ensure that FSAE would be number one too. At the end of Spring 2012 we basically had 2 members: the current president and yours truly. Now we have 20 members and we are brand new back in FSAE. My grades suck, my parents are unhappy, and I've lost some scholarship, but I don't really care, bc this was my dream from the beginning. Worth every mistake, hardship, and angry phone call from Mom and Dad. They're growing into it though.
    Tennessee Tech Motorsports
    Project Manager
    facebook.com/TTU.Motorsports

  2. #12
    I do not receive credit for doing FSAE either. I love Formula because as many others have said it is a project. "Wasting" my time on Formula is easy because it is what I enjoy doing most with my time.

    I think one of the most important things I got out of Formula SAE was the experience. The kind of experience that employers look for. I am from a decent sized school and have beaten out the "4.0 kids" from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and other prestigious schools who have no design experience whatsoever and I personally think it was solely because of Formula. I am likely no where near as book smart as those kids but I was able to show that I have good problem solving skills and know how to get things done. Some of the members of our team have gone on to work for ProCharger, Pratt and Miller, Chrysler, and Continental Tire. I am also sure this is similar to many other FSAE teams.

    As far as balancing school and Formula is tough but I had to teach myself to buckle down and get the homework done when I had to. You can't really use your Formula experience to get a job if they won't look at you in the first place because your GPA isn't high enough.

    That being said I wouldn't quit Formula for anything. How many students that graduate can say that they've machined, laid carbon, tuned an engine, or driven a race car. These are all things you might not be able to do for the rest of your life. Ultimately why do Formula? Because race car.
    Macke

  3. #13
    Anyone can design a part but a system.
    I think the systematic approach in design process is what FSAE is really teaching.
    We're building race cars and that's what makes it so unique.

    The goal of designing a race car is not simply achieving one of:
    -the lightest;
    -the cheapest;
    -the prettiest;
    -the most powerful;
    -the most durable;
    -the simplest.
    We need to do them all at the same time where everything depends on everything and everything is a compromise. It's an art.
    That's why I love FSAE (and because race car)
    It's just something we can't learn from classroom.
    Sheridan Motorsports troll (2012-2014)
    Cubicle troll (2015 - God knows when)

  4. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    232
    Ditto on being asked during interviews 'what are your hobbies?' and then having to explain that FSAE was my job, extracurricular activity, service work, and hobby.
    ‘What do you do in your free time?’.
    ‘Oh, homework.’

    -William

  5. #15
    Preface: All opinions are my own and not necessarily shared by my employers, past or present.

    I imagine we can all agree that job markets tend to be competitive. Everyone who graduates BS MechEng (or pick your favorite degree) has passed Thermo. They've all passed Statics, Dynamics, Materials, etc. So what is it that's going to set you apart to a potential employer and make you the desired candidate?

    Is it a few tenths better GPA? My feeling is probably not. In my opinion, mastery of classroom topics does not prepare someone to hit the ground running in industry. To be fair though you do have to have a firm grasp on the fundamentals as they do end up being a foundation for doing higher level "real" work, so for one's own benefit it's advantageous to have good understanding of those topics.

    Ultimately when a potential employer is evaluating you, how do you sell them on your worth? I think it comes down to accomplishments. What do you have on your resume as far as concrete, real world problems you've solved that illustrate and prove your talents? Formula SAE (and other college design series programs) are one way to do that. Is it the only thing you can do? No - I'd encourage having some other relevant internships, co-ops, or jobs as well to have a broader portfolio.

    Is FSAE the best thing in preparing you to be a professional engineer? I'd say no there as well. There are a lot of benefits in learning practical problem solving while under the gun for time, but it also can teach some poor habits as well. Easy to get accustomed to hand waving things a bit, or making justifications based on "Well so-and-so says your camber curve should look like..." Also easy to get in the mindset that it's cheaper / better doing things in-house (where in FSAE there is no cost to the team for everyone's time) rather than farming jobs out, and it's often the reverse in industry. Those are the reasons I think it's important to have other "real job" experience as well.

    Really I'd say one of the biggest advantages to FSAE involvement specifically among the CDS programs is the immense networking. I'd attribute my career path to date to FSAE involvement mainly due to the networking aspect - and indirectly I know it's helped other people get jobs that way. Entirely possible I would have had a good, alternate career path without it - but probably not this one.

    Bottom line - do I think FSAE is a good thing to be involved in? Yes, absolutely. Do I think proven extracurricular work experience is what really sets entry level candidates apart more than GPA? Yes, that's my gut feeling - though you really do have to have the classroom bit down at some level. Looking back at what my experience level was when I graduated, working for 4 years in an aerospace lab and machine shop gave me a lot of really good professional engineering experience which I still use and reference. FSAE "amplified" that in giving me a lot of focus on quick results, and boosting my self confidence as far as being aware of what I'm capable of accomplishing. Each by themselves were good experiences - together they were (are) really powerful.
    Colorado FSAE | '05 - '07
    Goodyear Tire & Rubber | '07 - '11
    NASCAR Engineer | '11 - ??

  6. #16
    Won't write a book, but I could....

    I was in FSAE for 5 years. When I started there didn't appear to be much potential for the program at my school, so we were not in it for the glory. It also didn't count for any credit in class, except if you were a senior. We were all freshman except for the team captain my first year, and the previous year they ran with a 2nd year car (possible back then). We had very little university support (no financial support). We managed to build a car that finished all events, 34th overall I think. I was blown away my first year to see what other schools were able to accomplish.

    Like many people I got hooked, and was fortunate to be part of a growing program for the next 4 years. There were stressful times for sure, but I don't really remember the times I doubted my participation (I know there were some). I do remember the satisfaction of the hard work paying off. FSAE is still the hardest I've ever worked and the proudest I've ever been of a project, so yes, I think it is worth it.

    My GPA suffered dearly, I could barely get an interview as a result. But when I did get an interview, FSAE experience really set me apart and it led to a job and then profession that I could not have gotten without FSAE, period.

    I can equally see an environment where someone works hard and does not see a benefit, but to me if you enjoy the project, that is enough.
    -Charlie Ping

    Auburn FSAE Alum 00-04

  7. #17
    Everyone's hit this one pretty spot on the head.

    One thing that I have noticed, is that FSAE attracts all kinds but they're typically pretty type-A personality. As a result we usually want to strangle each other at some point before heading out for a couple brews.

    I can honestly say that I've pulled more of my *true* friends from FSAE and its experience. They're the guys that I would bend over backwards for at any given time of day.

    Putting the 1000's of hours of modeling the machine work, engineering decisions, basically running your own small company and all that aside.....I don't think i could have found better "people" in the FSAE community or better friends on our team. I'm willing to bet that I would have been hard pressed to find that same experience elsewhere.
    South Dakota State University Alum
    Electrical/Daq/Engine/Drivetrain/Tire guy '09-'14

    Go big, Go blue, Go JACKS!

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