Structuring Success: How Cal Poly’s Team Designed Victory in the 2024 Timber-Strong Design Build™ Competition

Nick Mackechnie, a senior at Cal Poly majoring in civil engineering and minoring in mathematics, recounts his project management role on his Timber-Strong Design Build team, which won at the 2024 Pacific Southwest Symposium. This event challenges engineering students to design and construct a two-story wood-framed building, providing practical experience in structural engineering and project management. Nick discusses navigating the complexities of design, team dynamics, and unique collaboration while sharing valuable lessons and insights.

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Putting Engineering into Action: Interning at a Simpson Strong-Tie R&D Test Lab

Meet Tristan St. John, a mechanical engineering student from Colorado State University who joined Simpson Strong-Tie this summer as an intern at the Karen Colonias Research Lab in Pleasanton, California. His work involved assembling designs, selecting wood, and conducting tests using hydraulic presses. Tristan gained insights into the complexities of lab work and the importance of the various testing we do in our labs. The internship provided him with practical experience and exposure to a professional engineering environment, complementing his academic studies. 

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Learning Beyond the Classroom: The Simpson Fellowship Experience

Steinar Goheen, a fourth-year architecture student at Washington State University, is passionate about historical preservation and aims to work in that field. Recently, they (Steinar) participated in the week-long Strong-Tie Undergraduate Fellowship trip, which comprises educational visits to various Simpson Strong-Tie branches in California, witnessing product manufacturing, and exploring San Francisco, including a visit to Alcatraz. Join Steinar as they recount their educational journey and share memorable moments from the trip. 

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A Passion to Create and to Preserve — One Engineering Student’s Journey 

Starting a career can be daunting. Luckily, Anthony Hagiu’s current role as a Simpson Strong-Tie Technical Support Representative is helping him create a knowledge base that he can use toward his ambition to become an engineer. Learn more about what inspired him to study engineering and what he hopes to do once he finishes school. 

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Engineering Scholarships for 2022–2023 College Students 

Attending college next year? Consider applying for scholarships to ease the financial burden of college tuition. Even better, some scholarships have mentorship programs that can provide individuals with networking opportunities and more. When applying for college scholarships, keep in mind that each scholarship has its own qualifying criteria to address in your answers or materials. The list below concentrates on scholarships for those interested in engineering or STEM-related fields of studies. You’ve worked hard to qualify for college, so don’t miss out on financial help you may also qualify for! 

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