Engineering clubs boost student experiences beyond the classroom.
Student academic associations in the BYU Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering are seeking new members as they prepare for another successful school year.
With nearly 50 clubs, the College of Engineering has more student organizations than almost every other BYU college, surpassed only by the Marriott School of Business. BYU’s engineering clubs range from competition teams like the Rocketry Association, to research-focused groups like the American Nuclear Society, to organizations that foster inclusion like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Many of these clubs began recruiting new members at an “Engineering Club Rush” event on September 18, 2023, and will continue to accept new members throughout the year.
“I feel like college is where you find those that also love to do what you love to do,” said Gail Hludzinski, president of the Women in Manufacturing Association. “Find clubs that you love and that you enjoy, and that will get you to build friendships and make relationships that will last longer than college.”
Even non-engineering majors at BYU are drawn to its engineering clubs for opportunities to interact with peers, network with professionals, and acquire new skills.
“We have students from all the different engineering disciplines, we have pre-med students, and we help students connect,” said Zachary Olivier of the Biomedical Engineering Association.
BYU's engineering clubs have garnered national attention for their achievements, such as the Supermileage Team's ultra-fuel-efficient vehicle that won the 2023 Shell Eco-marathon and the Rocketry Association's high-flying rocket that earned first place at the 2023 Spaceport America Cup. Victories like these encourage engineering companies to recruit BYU club participants.
“Every recruiter that I've ever met says they want to see that people have done something outside of the classroom,” said Lissa Matthews, Assistant to the Dean for the College of Engineering. “They know that BYU students are technically competent. They know that they can do the classes. What they want to know is, are you doing something ... to actually work on those skills that you're learning in the class?”
Koy Bennion of the Cybersecurity Student Association attested that club involvement helps him stand out among job applicants. “When I applied for my job, it's one of the things that my employer asked me about,” he said. “It's definitely something that they looked at and wanted to know more about.”
Students participating in engineering clubs this school year hope to continue BYU’s reputation for excellence.
“I think we have, more than anything, just very dedicated students,” said Casey Gooch of the Rocketry Association. “Material wise, finances—we're not special in any of that way. Really, it’s the students that are involved that set us apart.”
