I am currently in the first rotation of a two-year Engineering Development Program (EDP). I will work in four distinctly different roles over the next two years for six months in each role. I currently work in a design/management role for the snow group. I plan on working through rotations in controls design for manufacturing, motorcycle design or test, and marketing. The EDP program is a great opportunity for a young engineer to gain a great deal of knowledge and experience over a wide variety of jobs within a company in a relatively short amount of time.

Even in the short time on the job I can tell that the people I meet across the company, and skill sets I develop in my different rotations, will be invaluable to me in future roles.

The NDSU ABEN Department helped prepare me for a career by giving me the opportunity and resources to make the most out of my time at college. The Department was very helpful and supportive of students competing and working on the 1/4-scale tractor team. The experience I gained as a co-captain of the 1/4-scale team was as important as any class I have ever taken. The planning, management and teamwork skills learned as a member of the team are skills that cannot be taught in the classroom, yet are very crucial for a young engineer to develop.

The ABEN Department's support of the 1/4-scale team and many other opportunities like it helped me to prepare for internships and full time employment.

The department professors are also very helpful and willing to spend the time with a student until he/she fully understands the topic. I found them to be some of the most helpful professors on the entire campus.