Charles Avila

Year: Senior!

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Why Drexel MEM?

Automobiles have been a passion of mine from an early age. My mother once told me that as an infant I was pushing toy cars around the floor making “vrrooomm!” noises even before I could stumble over simple words. When I found out that mechanical engineers play an integral part in the creation of these four-wheeled masterpieces, I decided it was for me. Only Drexel offered a mechanical engineering education that would give me an opportunity to potentially work in the automotive industry while on co-op. Three years later, I walked into The General Motors Corporation in Detroit, Michigan as an employee – it was a dream come true. 

Most Memorable Co-op Experience

My most memorable co-op experience involved cruising Michigan in a H2 Hummer as part of a work assignment. I spent five glorious days in the big, bad, gas guzzling Hummer making sure that the steering column wasn’t defective – turns out it was.

Most Unique Part of your Drexel Education

Undoubtedly, the most distinctive part of my Drexel education thus far has been my summer research experience at MIT. The experience was an invaluable opportunity to engage in a different area of research. I discovered new experimental techniques and developed my problem solving skills as I worked through challenges that I had never before encountered.

Most Influential Faculty

This one is a tie between Dr. Cernansky and Dr. Choi. Combined, both gentlemen have given me opportunities to discover university research that few students at the undergraduate level experience.

Accolades

GEM M.S. Engineering Fellowship

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship

2005 Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Student Research Award

Extracurricular Activities

Mechanical Engineering Student Representative

I’m working with Alex Moseson as part of a Drexel effort to recruit promising,

underrepresented, Philadelphia area high school students for studies in mechanical engineering. I know that when given the opportunity, many of these children will soar, both academically and individually, enabling them to continue the proliferation of scientific knowledge.

Plans after Drexel

I would like to go the Westcoast to attend either Stanford or Caltech for a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.