Personal Philosophy Statement
My career aspiration is to become an engineer who designs cost-effective steering systems for mass-produced vehicles. This goal has been shaped by two key phases of my life: my early fascination with mechanical design and my academic and professional experiences in engineering.
My journey began with a desire to gain a competitive edge in airsoft competitions by customizing and assembling components like grips, gears, and motors. This hands-on exploration, though unrefined, sparked a passion for mechanical systems and led me to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. My curiosity deepened in college, where I discovered how mathematics and physics underlie every aspect of mechanical design. Courses like calculus and differential equations revealed how to analyze stress, dynamics, and energy efficiency in real-world systems. This understanding motivated me to refine my skills and pursue increasingly complex challenges, prompting me to transfer to the University of Pittsburgh for its hands-on, cross-disciplinary curriculum.
At Pitt, I honed my ability to bring designs to life. In one notable project, I collaborated with teammates to design a benchtop tensile testing machine capable of generating a tensile force of 4000 Newtons within a 20-centimeter range. By choosing helical gears over spur gears for compactness, I faced the challenge of navigating disparate calculation standards for stress analysis. To ensure compliance with industrial standards, I gathered parameters from suppliers’ websites and reverse-engineered gear models. Through iterative recalculations and design refinements, I developed a comprehensive and accurate model. Our project earned the highest score in the class, and my professor commended my work for adhering to real-world industry practices. This experience reinforced my strengths in analytical problem-solving and pragmatic design, further solidifying my interest in optimizing mechanical systems for both performance and cost-effectiveness.
Seeking industry experience, I interned at Chenzhi Technology, Ltd. as an assistant engineer in the Steering System Design Department. There, I coordinated with clients to adapt casing data for steering systems to meet the unique requirements of various vehicle models. This role highlighted the importance of flexibility and client communication, as I learned to respond dynamically to changing data and market needs. I also gained insights into market trends, such as the balance between cost-sensitive designs and high-end features like variable steering ratios. These experiences deepened my understanding of the automotive industry's challenges and inspired me to focus on creating economical design solutions that enhance both performance and accessibility.
Through my foundational studies and hands-on experience, I have developed the skills and determination needed to address real-world engineering challenges. I am committed to advancing my expertise in mechanical design and contributing to the development of innovative, cost-effective solutions that meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry.