The first fifteen-year-old to intern at a NASCAR electronics manufacturer, designing technology for the racing industry. Assisted with printed circuit board design and assembly, developed low-level and high-level software and firmware for microcontrollers, embedded systems and Android devices, and improved CAD development for mass production of metal parts. Engineered a prototype laser wheel alignment tool and aided in the development of several other unique electronics for NASCAR teams to use to collect useful data for their vehicles.

I learned more about circuit board design, got the design approved by several engineers, and my school purchased twenty of those boards, which are still being used today to teach students how to start programming with microcontrollers and electronics. That same circuit later became the Automated Tardy Pass System.

Supported design, testing and assembly of precision machinery including Thermo Fisher Helios electron microscopes, utilizing PLC logic controllers and SOPs. Helped to save lives by improving Keller's Flexible Automatic Swage suture machine, which is used globally. Applied GD&T principles, created and modified CAD models in SolidWorks, and reviewed technical drawings. Managed project data, technical documentation, spreadsheets and BOM transmittals.

While there I noticed several internal processes relied heavily on spreadsheets. I mapped the workflow into a flowchart and proposed an alternative using a relational database, with use-case and sequence diagrams to show how data would move between users. My supervisor agreed the idea was sound but the implementation was beyond the scope of the internship. I learned how to respectfully challenge existing systems, communicate technical ideas, and accept real-world constraints.

My first placement, and the one that started the rest. Supported NASCAR tyre testing, mounting, balancing and nitrogen filling operations, performed wheel runout checks, re-rating and data tracking, assisted the IT department with basic SQL database management, and coordinated with engineers to ensure testing precision and reliability.

Champion is connected to First Turn Innovations, and being here is how I was sent over to them. Owner Kevin Mahl opened that door.

Gained exposure to local industry and engineering work environments, and learned manufacturing, project coordination and engineering fundamentals. This is the programme that led to both engineering internships above, and I convinced several peers to join it too.