MOMENTUM - October 2022 - 3

BENEFITS U
SAE BOOK STIPEND WINNER: CAROLINE CRAIG
CAROLINE CRAIG, A JUNIOR AT VIRGINIA TECH, IS ONE OF THREE WINNERS
OF THE SPRING 2022 SAE STUDENT TEXTBOOK STIPEND. EACH OF THE THREE
FALL 2022 ISSUES OF MOMENTUM INCLUDES ONE OF THE WINNERS' ESSAY.
HERE IS CAROLINE'S (LIGHTLY EDITED TO FIT ON THIS PAGE).
One of the greatest benefits of being a part of a professional organization
like SAE is the opportunity to build a network with others in my field. At
Virginia Tech, only 15% of mechanical engineering
majors are women. Organizations like SAE can help
encourage young girls to consider their individual
potential in engineering, as well as give college
students like me the opportunity to connect with
professional engineers. In addition, this global
community for automotive engineers offers
opportunities to come together in person to
inspire, support, and learn from one another.
I believe it is important to encourage women to
enter the field of engineering. As a young girl, it
was very motivating to see successful female
engineers, one of whom was my own aunt. Women
like her were a big inspiration because not only did
they become engineers during a time when the
field was mostly male, but I was able to identify
with them and therefore visualize myself in the same role. In the hope that I
can spark engineering interest in young girls, I have participated in several
STEM outreach events at Virginia Tech. In April, I represented Virginia Tech Baja
SAE at a Society of Women Engineers STEM day for Girl Scouts. The Virginia
Tech motto of " Ut Prosim... that I may serve " is something I take very seriously.
I plan to continue to dedicate myself to youth outreach, and I know that SAE
will help and support me in my undergraduate journey.
As a member of the Virginia Tech Baja SAE team Virginia Tech, I am able to
Mechanical engineering major
Caroline Craig
Fall 2022 Student Member
Textbook Stipend
College can be a financial burden, with
tuition, room and board, everyday
expenses, and textbooks. The Membership
Team has created a new SAE Student
Textbook Stipend in the amount of $1,000
USD to help you with the cost of textbooks.
SAE wants to invest in your academic
career, and beyond, to your professional
career. And in return, we want to hear how
your membership and your involvement in
SAE has helped you to reach your
academic and professional goals so far.
Your essay will be judged based on the
following criteria:
* Organization & development of ideas
* Quality of SAE involvement
* Diversity of SAE involvement and
activities
* Eligibility Requirements are as follows:
* Current, paid SAE International
Student Member (Not a member?
Join now at SAE.ORG/JOIN)
apply what I have learned in the classroom. I am also developing skills like
machining and welding, which are best learned hands-on. This past semester, I
used Siemens NX to generate the CAM program so the team could machine the
Baja car's gearbox. I had not done any machining prior to this. It took a lot of
patience and hard work, and my team leaders were impressed with the result.
Without SAE, I don't know where else I might have learned this new skill.
SAE's online forums are a place where I can build my network by connecting
with seasoned engineers who can offer guidance on how to achieve my goals.
As a member of this global, diverse organization, it is easy to meet other female
engineers as well as those with similar interests. They can open my eyes to
professional opportunities that I never knew existed and perhaps even help me
find an internship. After I graduate from Virginia Tech, I hope to stay involved
with SAE by contributing to online discussions and attending their conferences.
Having learned exclusively online for the first year of my engineering program, I
understand all too well how important it is to come together in person to
collaborate and learn from one another. I have been very lucky to be surrounded
by many brilliant engineering mentors and I would be honored to be one.
I have always been curious about how things work and how they are made.
My father, a mechanical engineer, was very happy to teach me the basics of car
repair and home construction. By third grade, I had my own set of tools. As a
middle-schooler, he taught me CAD design and bought me my own calipers,
since I borrowed his so often. It seemed as I grew and advanced, so did the
world. I became aware of so many problems that need to be solved by
MOMENTUM
* Undergraduate (freshman through
junior) pursing an engineering degree
from an ABET-accredited program
* 3.0 cumulative college GPA or higher
is required (official transcript required)
Three textbook stipends of $1,000 USD
will be awarded in Fall 2022. This textbook
stipend is not renewable. Application
window will be open September 1 and will
close November 30, 2022. The first 100
eligible applicants will be considered by
the SAE Textbook Stipend Committee. The
recipient of the textbook stipends will be
selected by the SAE Textbook Stipend
Committee by December 2022.
engineers. As part of SAE, I plan to be a lifelong
learner; growing and applying my engineering
skills in the hope that my creations will provide
new solutions and opportunities. Perhaps an
invention of mine will be the next " great one "
that makes the world a better place and
inspires a new generation of engineers. n
October 2022 3

https://www.sae.org/participate/membership/benefits/student https://amspub.abet.org/aps/ https://connexionplus.sae.org/volunteer-pages-bucket/volunteeropportunities/opportunities-list-public?communitykey=1a329128-f614-49fb-aa6a-5870ad1b5b98 https://connexionplus.sae.org/volunteer-pages-bucket/volunteeropportunities/opportunities-list-public?communitykey=1a329128-f614-49fb-aa6a-5870ad1b5b98 https://connexionplus.sae.org/volunteer-pages-bucket/volunteeropportunities/opportunities-list-public?communitykey=1a329128-f614-49fb-aa6a-5870ad1b5b98

MOMENTUM - October 2022

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