My name is David King and I am a Junior from Salt Lake City, Utah.  Currently, I am at SMU working towards my undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering.  The Lyle School of Engineering has given me a wide variety of options that I wouldn't be getting anywhere else.  In the past several years I have been able to be a part of several exciting programs.  I currently work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM).  My position has allowed me to become familiar with today's advanced manufacturing processes for example surface treating, rapid prototyping, and advanced welding.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend my entire summer abroad in Europe.  I attended a program called Semester at Sea where I was able to take my classes on cruise ship size boat and visit seven different countries.  Our ship was nicknamed the "floating campus" because it had the same utilities and facilities as a traditional university.  We only took our classes on the days while we were at sea, and we were constantly learning abroad in the different countries.  The program allowed me to meet new people, see many different landscapes and experience various cultures.

It has been monumental for me to take what I have learned in my engineering classes and be able to apply them around the globe.  From the Roman Aqueducts to the Spanish churches I was able to see them from an engineering point of view. My trip has also sparked an interest in Civil Engineering.  Although I am focused on getting my undergraduate degree right now, I can very easily see myself returning to the Lyle School of Engineering for a Master’s degree to expand my engineering knowledge.