"Hey Julie" (hey-julie)
09/10/2015 at 18:41 • Filed to: None
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"Hey Julie" (hey-julie)
09/10/2015 at 18:41 • Filed to: None | 0
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I just started my freshman year at Colorado state university, I saw we have a FSAE team but I’m not an engineering student and math and physics are really really not my thing. However, I can definitely wrench, I can weld, and I have more track experience than anyone my age I know. Is it worth talking to the team leader or do I not have the kind of skills they are looking for?
DrJohannVegas
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 18:43 |
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Talk to the team leader, you will probably find you have exactly the skills they need.
Source: Non-engineer with years of FSAE experience.
PS: From what I recall, the CSU team seemed like a fun bunch.
Edit: Also, don’t just show up and expect to drive. Many teams have a “no build, no drive” rule to prevent hangers-on. If you are down to work (and your question suggests that), you will love it.
For Sweden
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 18:54 |
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I’d start by Ft. Collins-them up and see when the meetings are.
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DrJohannVegas
> For Sweden
09/10/2015 at 19:11 |
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Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
> For Sweden
09/10/2015 at 19:24 |
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MrDakka
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 19:54 |
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Definitely! Welding alone will probably get you in and with the track experience, they’ll probably want you as driver.
While I wasn’t in FSAE, I was in a similar program for aero and we had a dearth of capable r/c pilots
dontbethatguy
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 19:57 |
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Definitely contact team leadership and ask them if they will accept non-engineers with a lot of automotive/racing experience. 99% of the time they will say yes. In my experience the only reason they would say no is because freshman can be pretty hit or miss when it comes to making a big commitment like FSAE. Usually they are trying to adjust to college life and aren’t able to put in as much time as the team would like. But if you show up, put in a lot of effort, and show them that you are a competent fabricator I see no reason why you would not be able to join unless there’s a university policy that prevents it.
Master Cylinder
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 20:21 |
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Definitely. I was on FSAE when I was in engineering school, and I was one of two who had any actual hands-on experience with cars. We provided a reality check for some of the more fanciful design ideas, and did a large part of the building and tuning.
I don’t know if it’s a requirement to be in engineering school, though. I know the other car guy was in engineering tech school, which isn’t exactly the same thing.
Still, if there’s no rule against it, I can’t see why they wouldn’t want you on the team. Maybe you can’t contribute on the design side, but that’s only part of fielding a successful (or even just functional) FSAE car.
samssun
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 20:59 |
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Sadly, engineering schools have increasing numbers of “paper engineers” (nerds) and fewer hands-on types, so if you’re handy I doubt they’ll turn you away.
Might not be an easy way to incorporate it into your Grievance Studies major or whatever, but if you just want to use it as an extracurricular it shouldn’t be a problem.
ChooChooMotherFudger
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 21:47 |
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As a current team lead of a FSAE team, yes you should contact them. I highly doubt they will not be interested in anyone joining their team, especially with track experience. Just email them or pop by their shop.
Fair warning though, a lot of teams (mine included) don’t recruit just drivers and you may need to put in time working on the car before you do, but I hope this isn’t a big problem.
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Hey Julie
> ChooChooMotherFudger
09/10/2015 at 21:58 |
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Nah I love working on cars I can fix most anything and fabricate plenty of stuff I just can't really design anything from scratch
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ChooChooMotherFudger
> Hey Julie
09/10/2015 at 22:49 |
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Well I don’t know how big their team is, but I am sure you will learn. That part is fun (or maybe I am just saying that because I am an engineer).
StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
> Hey Julie
09/11/2015 at 10:23 |
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Yes, do it! Always looking for good drivers, and welders are usually hard to come by. You don’t have to work on design to be part of the team, stop by the shop and say you’re interested. Best part about my college experience.