Meet a Graduate
Let’s hear from a past student and see what he’s up to today
Student: Carl C.
A TESI graduate from 2018. Carl’s mom answered the following questions.
What is Carl up to now?
Carl graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He did an internship at Urenco USA, a nuclear energy company in Hobbs, New Mexico last summer. He’s also busy restoring a 30 year old vehicle in his spare time.
Why did you choose to register in our program initially?
The program had good reviews but most importantly I wanted our son to experience life away at a university campus with exposure to various engineering disciplines. Our hope was for him to see what he liked and disliked about going away and to reconfirm his interest in studying engineering. The overnight dorm style life with a roommate, field trips, group projects and lectures was a way for him to get a taste of college life with like-minded high school students. The program was geared to not only an academic approach to engineering but to give real world applications and solutions to everyday issues. It tested problem solving skills from understanding the problem, drafting an approach and managing the solution.
After camp, did you notice any breakthroughs your child may have had as a result of attending our program, academically, socially or in any other way?
I think he realized that he could survive living away from home. His confidence grew and he matured. He realized that if he continued to work hard that could get into a great engineering program. I think it also helped him during his college visits to look for specific course programs, facilities and teaching approaches.
Since attending our program, can you see where the work and learning and growing he experienced at camp continues to have any impact on his life?
He’s definitely a very methodical person. Always looking for ways to solve issues. He’s a stronger person believing that he can succeed. He came home from camp with a very positive attitude and was hard working and very disciplined.
Did attending our program alter the course of your student’s life in any way?
Carl found his path and continued following his interest in mechanical engineering. He did not give up even with the lock down and switch to online classes that Covid-19 brought.
“His confidence grew and he matured. He realized that if he continued to work hard that could get into a great engineering program.”
Hear From Carl Himself
What is your relationship to engineering now?
I’m still enjoying it… make sure you are strong in math and working in group projects. It will strengthen you.
Do you have a positive memory from camp you can share?
I built a robotic car, used some factory kits to model and had exposure to intro into coding. I was asked to consider applying to be a counselor for a future camp, and that made me feel good about myself.
What are you up to now? Where are you headed in life?
I’m focused on finishing my degree and entering the workforce.
Anything else you’d like to say to the kids or parents thinking about registering?
It’s a good program with fun activities.
