The 2025-2026 academic year provided significant opportunities for growth through a balance of academic rigor, professional development, and intentional travel. Returning to a full schedule of classes in Fall 2025 required an adjustment, but I found resilience through community. Reconnecting with my friends and my Mechanical Engineering peer group allowed us to get through the demanding semester together. Attending various campus events provided a necessary break from coursework and reminded me of the importance of maintaining a strong support system outside of the classroom.
During Spring 2026, I completed my third engineering co-op rotation with the Advance Technology team at Cummins Inc. in Troy, Michigan. My work centered heavily on building MATLAB pipelines for predictive wear modeling and developing thermodynamic signal filters. Working with complex data models requires patience, trial and error. When faced with technical roadblocks, I learned to rely on the guidance of my mentors and team members. Navigating these challenges improved my technical problem-solving approach and reinforced the importance of asking for help to keep a project moving forward.
In the second half of April, I took time to step away from my standard routine by planning a trip to Northern California, which I completed as a Self-Designed Experience. A major goal of this trip was to reconnect with a family member I had not seen in several years due to school and work commitments. Exploring the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe with my cousin allowed me to experience the region from a local perspective rather than just as a tourist. I observed how integrated nature is into daily life and gained firsthand insight into the intense startup work culture of the area. Seeing professionals manage highly flexible but demanding work hours challenged my understanding of work-life balance and regional professional culture. Additionally, navigating unfamiliar public transit systems on my own built my confidence and independence.
As I write this reflection, I am currently in the second week of the Summer 2026 semester. After a long break from traditional studying and being away from my engineering peers during my co-op rotation, it is rewarding to be back in the classroom and have a strong sense of momentum moving forward. I am continuing my academic progress by taking core mechanical engineering courses alongside an online English writing course, which serves as another pre-approved honors experience. Taking this writing class is a deliberate step to improve my communication skills, which are a vital component of professional engineering.
Moving forward, I will continue to utilize the resources around me. By relying on my Mechanical Engineering peer group, my family, and my professional mentors, I have a strong network to hold me accountable. Regular check-ins with these individuals will help me maintain momentum and balance as I prepare for my fourth co-op rotation in the fall.