The College of Engineering Student Stories

Meet Lauren

I've always wanted to be an aerospace engineer and a pilot. Space is my passion, and I never grew out of my childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. I got my pilot's license at 17, and I'll be earning my Aerospace Engineering degree in less than a month! Becoming an aerospace engineer will allow me the opportunity to engineer the future and make an impact in humanity's reach in the universe through air travel and space travel/exploration.

I have worked in industry for the last 3.5 years in both commercial and military aerospace engineering, starting when I was 19 years old at American Airlines Engineering and later, at Lockheed Martin in F-35 Systems Engineering. Throughout my college career, I got to be part of engineering changes on the F-35, 787-8/-9, 777-200/-300, 767-300, 757, A330-200/-300, MD-80, A320 family, and the 737-800/MAX8. I have also been involved in undergraduate research at the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute, where I investigated the use of carbon nanotubes on brain implants. Engineering is a creative outlet for me, which I can use to have a positive impact on the world, technology, and the way we interact with technology as humans.

I like UTA's College of Engineering because there are so many opportunities for research. Between research with professors in campus laboratories and the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute, students can work with so many different sides of engineering, even outside of their own program. I got to do research in materials science and biomedical engineering, both of which are completely different from my coursework.

I just accepted a position at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to be an aerospace engineer! I'm so excited to be starting this new opportunity because I will get to work on the cutting edge of innovation and technology in the aerospace industry. Some of the projects I will be part of will change the future of air/space travel. It's an honor for me to be part of such an incredible organization that is known for accomplishing the impossible. I also just got into graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, where I'll be working on a Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering through the Applied Physics Laboratory while I work for Lockheed. I want to eventually transition into the civil space exploration side of the aerospace industry and get a Ph.D.

I want to see everyday people living and working in space. Whether that's on a lunar base, a Mars base, or somewhere in the lunar neighborhood in a Lagrange Point, I want to be involved in expanding humanity's footprint in space. Having often been the only woman in the room for the past half decade, I am just as passionate about engineering and space exploration as I am about encouraging women to pursue careers in aerospace. Personally, I aspire to become a prominent technical leader in the aerospace Industry, inspire and encourage more women to work alongside me, and one day, explore the final frontier myself.