ALUMNI/ALUMNAE

What did you gain in TSA?
TSA helped me to: gain the confidence I needed to realize that I could make a difference, realize I was able to do anything that I wanted to do—no matter how big or small—and that I would never know what I was capable of, unless I tried.

What advice do you have for current TSA members?
Take advantage of the experiences offered by TSA. You are able to apply every lesson that you learn from TSA, to everyday life. TSA is an organization and an experience that you will never forget, and I can guarantee that you will be thankful that you were in this wonderful organization.

What did you gain in TSA?

One of the most important lessons I have ever learned is from TSA: what it means to be a leader. As a chapter officer—and as Missouri TSA sergeant-at-arms, vice president, and president—I learned that being a good leader does not mean getting people to do what you want; rather, sacrificing your personal agenda to serve your organization. By entering any position of leadership as a servant, as opposed to being bossy, you will get a lot more accomplished and people will enjoy serving with you. This was a lesson that took me years to embrace, but it is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life in everything I do.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

Be adventurous and get out of your comfort zone. Talk to people you normally would not, and make new friends. Some of my closest friends are people I met throughout my TSA journey. Compete in an event in which you normally would not compete. One of the coolest things I learned from TSA is that science and technology are everywhere, even in Music Production and Fashion Design. Run for office and learn what it means to be a leader, not just in TSA, but in life. Then take the lessons you learn and apply them. Learn to lead in this technical world.

B.S. Electrical Engineering (minor, technology education), Savannah State University
M.S. Engineering/Industrial Management, University of Louisville
Electrical manufacturing engineer, Boeing, NASA Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans

What did you gain in TSA?
The former, two-time Georgia TSA state officer who competed in Extemporaneous Speech and Video Game Design says the biggest lesson she learned in TSA was how to overcome adversity. "Even though you face defeat, you are not defeated. You still have worth, you still have value, and you can still become something great if you believe in yourself.”

She adds, "Thank you TSA for making me the leader I am" and lauds her TSA chapter advisor Christie Schmitt as "advisor of the century."

What did you gain in TSA? 

TSA gave me invaluable leadership, hands-on learning, and fast-paced work experiences. My leadership roles in the organization—serving in state officer roles and as national TSA secretary—translated into taking on leadership roles in college and pursuing a management-related career. Gaining technically-related leadership skills in TSA also helped me successfully take on a project management-related job at an engineering firm. Participating in TSA helped give me background knowledge and the confidence to approach work situations, even when I am unsure of technical aspects of our projects.

Believe it or not, in TSA, the late nights cramming to complete projects before conferences and competing at one too many events also helped find success in my career. I learned how to work hard, efficiently, and with a positive attitude. These skills are especially important in my role as a project coordinator—as I am handed dozens of different tasks every workday—but they could translate into any career. So enjoy the rush of that last minute pressure surrounding your events: you will be better for it!

What advice do you have for current TSA student members? 

Each year, try something new at your state and national conference, such as participating in a different competitive event. You may rather stick with what you know, but trying new things will give you better, all-around knowledge of TSA and a stronger technical background. You will be able to learn new things, meet new people, and possibly discover a new interest. For instance, trying out the photography-related events unearthed my passion for photography. This has grown into me taking on photography as a small side business.

Even if you decide that the new event you try is not for you, you will not lose anything. Participating in something new gives you knowledge that will help make you a better leader. Within your chapter, you can make recommendations to other members and better relate to your friends who also participated in the event that you tried. Learning about a new technical area will also make you a better student in the future.

What did you gain in TSA?

TSA offered a support system and boosted my confidence and self-esteem at a time when I needed it. I was really shy before I joined TSA. But then I ran for office and as I served as chapter treasurer, Texas TSA treasurer, and national TSA treasurer, I learned how to speak in front of a large audience.  

TSA gave me the opportunity to face my fears head on. Courage is knowing that you can overcome fear. I would not be the person I am today without my TSA experiences, the amazing friends I met through this organization, all of the officer teams I worked with, and the ways in which my chapter, state, and national advisors pushed me to become a better person. 

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

Visualizing your dreams can help make them come true. Do not be overwhelmed by the idea of all the work and do not lose motivation if you do not get results right away.

If you aspire to attend an Ivy League university, you may think, “It is too hard to get in, I am not even going to try." But you never know.

A personal essay can be an opportunity to write about your life, your circumstances. I shared my TSA roles in one of my essays. Whether you are an officer, or you led a team for a competition, or worked on something for a conference or a community service program—write about leadership, competitive skills, work ethic, putting in the time and effort to do something outside of the classroom, or something in TSA that changed your life. These are all something that colleges value.

Know that even if you were a star in high school, you may need to ask for help in college. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

What did you gain in TSA?

In the beginning, TSA taught me about myself—what I was good at, what kind of work I liked. It was TSA that introduced me to web development. TSA makes you be more inventive in how you research and apply knowledge, and it helped me realize that what I do today, fits into the bigger picture tomorrow. It was in serving in officer roles in middle school and high school—then as Delaware TSA state secretary and president and national TSA secretary and president—that I was granted the greatest gift by TSA. I learned from advisors who were intimately familiar with the rewards and challenges of student leadership, and I had conversations across chapter and state lines.

TSA also was a major selling point when it came time to apply to colleges—making me a more dynamic candidate as I shared the importance of TSA in my college application essays. 

Attending the University of Pennsylvania was the most challenging experience of my life, but I believe the wide range of soft and hard skills I developed in TSA—such as written and verbal presentation, leadership, and creativity—helped me to succeed there.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

Reach beyond your comfort zone. You may have one to two favorite competitive events, but every year, you should try something new to expand your horizons. Also, meet as many people as you can at TSA conferences and other events. TSA introduced me to friends and mentors I remain in touch with to this day—and hope to keep for life.

What did you gain in TSA? 

TSA truly helped me learn how to carry myself professionally. It gave me the confidence, networking abilities, and goal-oriented mindset needed to pursue my passion and find work in this career field. It also helped me learn the importance of stage presence through state and national officer roles. I would not be the person I am today without seven years of TSA.

What advice do you have for current TSA members?

Take everything in. Meet and befriend as many people as you possibly can. Travel to every conference you have the ability to travel to! These are some incredible years for you in the best organization around. It helps provide you with some of the most important skills you will ever gain, and that skillset will stay with you through the rest of your life. I have also met some of my dearest friends through my time in TSA, and I don’t know where I would be without some of them! Take it all in, and enjoy yourself!

What did you gain in TSA that helped you in your career? 

Overcoming the fear of public speaking.

What advice do you have for current TSA members?

Speaking events—do it! The ability to speak confidently in front of people has improved my career and personal endeavors dramatically. I competed in Extemporaneous Speech, Prepared Speech, and Chapter Team—and served as president of my local chapter for several years; Eastern Region Representative in Oklahoma TSA from 2005 to 2006; and national TSA treasurer from 2006 to 2007. I also competed in Problem Solving and learned to think on the fly and outside the box. Work within the rules given, but do not add any other obstacles or rules just because they may seem appropriate. Doing what every other team is doing, probably is not the best way; the best answers are not always obvious. Your knowledge of a vast amount of different systems can often times lead you down a better path.

What did you gain in TSA?

My six years in TSA played an integral role in shaping me into the individual I am today. Not only did I meet some of my lifelong friends, I also gained opportunities to explore different STEM fields through competitive events, and grow my leadership skills through serving as Virginia TSA parliamentarian and as national TSA reporter, then national TSA president. I also networked with like-minded individuals from across the country and around the globe. While it was difficult to see my time as a member come to an end—I left TSA confident that I would continue to use the knowledge and skills that were fostered during my time in the organization.

What advice do you have for current TSA members?

Compete in an event in which you never thought about competing. Push yourself out of your comfort zone, because you never truly know what you might like or dislike until you try it. I discovered my interest in biomedical engineering through competing in Medical Technology in middle school and Biotechnology Design in high school. Also, I would recommend that members run for office. It is one of the most enriching experiences and will equip you with leadership skills that you can carry with you for the rest of your life.

In terms of my career plans, I hope to become a physician and provide access to medical care in underserved communities, perhaps overseas.

What did you gain in TSA?

I did not know I wanted to be a lawyer when I was a TSA member. But looking back on my choice of competitions, it makes sense that I gravitated toward the events that focused on public speaking, researching, and writing. And while my skills in those areas certainly improved through TSA, I think the intangible gains have been the most important. Besides leadership and teamwork skills, the key gain from TSA is being comfortable, even when I may realize that I have no idea to a particular answer. Remaining calm in the face of uncertainty is crucial, and TSA helped me relish these challenges and learn how to confidently step up and begin thinking through and researching possible solutions. I learned that the harm is not in saying “I don’t know,” but in not wanting to find out.

The way TSA encouraged me to learn from fellow members has set me up incredibly well for my career. I do not just treat my initial answers as the right ones, but I am eager to learn from colleagues, clients, and peers to see if my own thinking can be further honed. I am more confident in collaborating, asking for help, and realizing when I need to gain a better understanding. My career involves never knowing what kind of problems you will face day to day, and it has been immensely helpful to have worked through the fear of uncertainty and not knowing, early on. Now I can just relish the adventure of figuring things out.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

Don't forget to laugh. Naturally, not when you are trying to run a business meeting or get through a finalist interview. But at some point along the way (actually, a ton of points), things are going to go wrong. But if you take it too seriously, you are going to be so caught up in obsessing over a trophy or winning a leadership title, that you let amazing, smaller moments pass you by. It has been nearly eight years since my last competitive conference, and you can rest assured I have not carted my trophies with me to law school. My officer badges do not sit on my bookshelf next to my notebooks. When I look back on my time in TSA. the things I cherish most are the hiccups, the silly moments, the laughter shared with teammates, advisors, fellow officers, and even my competitors.

You are going to spend far more of your TSA career in the lead up to competition. What I think you will find, once you graduate, is that you are not missing the awards ceremony or the finalist interview. What you will miss keenly are the chapter meetings, spirit dinners, and teamwork sessions. It is totally fine to care about results and accomplishments, but care about them because of the journey you took to get there. The better you become at enjoying the process, the more successful you will be.

What did you gain in TSA?

TSA helped prepare me for my career very directly by introducing me to the fields of technology and engineering. Many of the interests I have today, I first discovered through TSA when I became interested in energy systems and their impact on climate change. Today, I am able to work on exciting solutions to the problems that confront the modern energy grid, and I build on the concepts that I worked on through events such as Environmental Challenge.

Also, I am most grateful for the experience that TSA gave me in leadership and public speaking when I served as chapter president, state treasurer and vice president; and national TSA president. These skills are much more difficult to pick up in a classroom, and I certainly feel fortunate to have had an opportunity to speak in front of peers and communicate ideas. Now I use these skills every day at Axiom, as we defend design decisions, collaborate on concepts, etc.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members? 

Go with your gut and challenge yourself—if you are curious about signing up for an event you have never tried before, go to a state conference for the first time, or run for an office on any level. Do it.

Achieving something you never thought you could is definitely one of the best feelings you can experience, but what is even more important are the lessons you learn, however your endeavor works out. People who are ultimately successful do not necessarily start out that way. If you are driven and fearless, it is really just a question of when you succeed. If you are lucky—maybe now; if you are persistent, definitely later.

B.S. & M.S., Technology Education, Georgia Southern University
Georgia TSA Associate Director

What did you gain in TSA?

I joined AIASA/TSA in a time when significantly fewer girls participated. In fact, when I was first assigned to an industrial arts class in junior high, I begged my parents to allow me to change my schedule to chorus or home economics—any class that may have been considered more “for girls.” Fortunately, they forced me to stay in the industrial arts class. I was blessed to have an amazing teacher who encouraged me to join AIASA/TSA.

My participation in the organization helped me to develop leadership and technical skills that are so valuable in life and explore many career options. At the 1988 Georgia TSA State Conference awards program, my advisor, Gene Nix, received the Jim Coffey Inspirational Teacher Award. It was an honor sponsored by Harvey Dean of PITSCO, in recognition of his industrial arts teacher. As Mr. Nix received that award, I remember the pride felt by our chapter. At that moment, I decided I would follow in his footsteps and hoped that one day I, too, could be the inspirational role model to others that he was to us.

I am currently in my 25^th year of teaching engineering and technology education. I have been fortunate to serve on the Georgia TSA Board of Directors/Advisory Council for multiple terms; worked on the host team when the National TSA Conference in Atlanta in 2000 and in 2018; mentored multiple state officers; and had the honor of being the TSA advisor to so many wonderful students. In 2001, I was elected the first female president of GITEA, the Georgia Industrial Technology Education Association (now GETEA).

AIASA/TSA made me realize problem-solving and applying math and science has no gender boundaries. Per its creed, the organization has also instilled in me a desire to always “accept the responsibilities that are mine,” “to do better each day the task before me,” and to make my “school, community, state, and nation better places in which to live.”

What advice do you have for current TSA student members? 

Take advantage of any opportunity that you have in TSA, especially if the opportunity pushes you or takes you out of your comfort zone. I will never forget the anxiety I experienced when my advisor encouraged me to participate in Extemporaneous Speech; however, forcing myself to do something that terrified me, helped me identify and hone strengths I did not know I had.

Also, make friends at the conferences and network beyond your local chapter. These contacts will be so valuable as you begin life in the real world. As an advisor, I still do exactly that. I love the interaction and comradery between advisors and alumni. Almost daily, I communicate with individuals I probably would have never met had it not been for my involvement in TSA.

Once you graduate, please keep your TSA advisor updated on where you are and what you are doing. I cannot describe the pride I feel when I hear a student has passed a bar exam, received a higher rank in the military, or become an engineering teacher. I love attending weddings and holding the babies of my former students. (Although it does hurt to hear, “My mom said, ‘Hi’. You were her teacher!”) Remember, your advisors love you and when you succeed, it makes us proud.

What did you gain in TSA?

Being a member of TSA taught me so many valuable skills that helped me become a successful college student. From technical skills—such as problem solving, 3D design, and fabrication practices—to the soft skills of teamwork and communication, TSA helped me to realize that a common goal can be reached working one-on-one, or through teamwork. TSA also gave me the strong friend group that I am still a part of today.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

Know that TSA is more than competitions. Get involved in community service. Another favorite TSA activity at the high school-level for me was working on American Cancer Society fundraisers such as Relay for Life. Also, consider continuing your TSA support after graduation through a TSA alumni association; volunteering as a judge, speaker, or workshop presenter at state conferences; or mentoring chapters. 

How did you initially learn about TSA; what motivated you to join?

I joined TSA my sophomore year of high school, encouraged by my teacher, Mr. Bernstein, who was the TSA chapter advisor. I competed at the Maryland TSA State Conference and placed at the National TSA Conference in Debate and Extemporaneous Speech. During my time in TSA, in which I competed in three national conferences, I also participated in Tech Bowl, Technology Problem Solving, and Prepared Presentation.

All this, combined with my experience in VEX Robotics, student government, and advocacy, taught me some of the most important skills I have ever learned such as public speaking and debate. I was also appointed parliamentarian for my TSA chapter, and by the end of my junior year, I was elected vice president of Maryland TSA. Those roles taught me invaluable lessons in leadership, time management, and team work.

What attributes did you gain from being a TSA member?

Most definitely, I gained the ability to think on my feet and quickly formulate positions, especially because I hope to enter the realm of health policy someday. I also learned how to network with professionals and work in collaborative team settings. Ultimately, I hope to combine my knowledge in policy with clinical practice to improve the healthcare delivery system in the United States. I have spent my summers in paid research internships at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine and at the National Cancer Institute, working on projects in clinical informatics—using health information and data to improve patient safety. Relatively simple health technology innovations can have such a profound impact on medical practice and can save lives.

How have you stayed connected to TSA as an alum?

I have stayed in touch with Mr. Bernstein, who has served as a great mentor to me, and I am encouraged that Maryland TSA is growing and has such potential. I volunteer at Maryland TSA State Conferences, and I am very excited that the 2019 National TSA Conference is coming to my home state this year. I am also proud to say my brother is the current president of Maryland TSA and is working hard to support the growth and development of our state delegation.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

TSA offers you the opportunity to learn skillsets that can be applied to the real world. Don’t pass that up! Join TSA as early as possible and use the competitive events as opportunities to not only apply skillsets you already have—but to develop new ones. You will be amazed how applicable the skillsets you learn in TSA are in college and in the professional world. 

What did you gain in TSA?

From the first day I stepped foot on Virginia Tech's campus, I was a step ahead of other students because through TSA, I had gained knowledge of careers, interview practices, and specific skills—and the confidence to take risks. I am always interviewing for internships and roles here at school and this is extremely easy for me because I spent seven years of my life in TSA competition interviews. Additionally, many of my peers have a fear of public speaking but I have never had to worry about that, because I have spoken in front of 8,000 people at large-scale conferences. TSA also gave me a way to test my passions and explore different career options, which has led me to find my passion for marketing and entrepreneurship.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members? 

Reach out to TSA alumni and your student leaders to learn everything you can from them. Having a mentor is so important to your growth and will open the doors for many opportunities down the road. Do not let the mistakes you make now—such as forgetting something for your competition or missing a beat during a speech—define who you are or bring you down. This is the time in your life during which you are most expected to miss a step.

I was 16-years-old when I was elected as national TSA president, and thought I was mature because my other friends were not leading 250,000 people. But I was still maturing so much. While there are so many successes I can remember from TSA, I consider the failures I had to be more important—because that is how I grew and kept developing into my best self. In TSA, you are safe to test limits and prepare for the real world—more than you will ever imagine.

B.S. Mathematics, B.S. Economics, Missouri Southern State University
Student Minister, Mt. Hope Church of Christ, Webb City, MO

What did you gain in TSA?

TSA taught me to be a leader. In TSA, I learned how to lead others to complete projects and work with teams to make and achieve goals. I had to opportunity to sit on boards with accomplished adults and express my ideas and opinions with strength, humility, and candor. In my current position, I work with teams of people of all ages, both heading up some teams and being the junior member on others. I am able to do this effectively because of the skills I learned as a TSA chapter president, Missouri TSA regional vice president and state president, and national TSA president.

What advice do you have for current TSA student members?

Take the lead. For some, that may mean running for local, regional, state, or national office. For others, that may mean helping out with a chapter project. Still for others, it may mean taking charge in a team competitive event. Whatever it means for you, the skills you learn in TSA will stay with you throughout your life. The best way to learn leadership skills is to step up and take the lead. Fortunately, sometimes, all you need to do is step up.

What did you gain in TSA that helped you in your career? 

As a member, I gained confidence and learned communications skills. In addition, through my officer roles as chapter sergeant at arms, vice president, and president in middle school; chapter vice president and president in high school; Florida TSA treasurer and vice president; and national TSA treasurer—I learned a great deal of time management  and networking skills and the ability to be approachable. I could not recommend enough the experience of running for office at any level. It was such a blast and it enabled me to forge amazing relationships with some fantastic people. Now that I work in a leadership role in my organization, I utilize all of those skills on a daily basis. As for TSA competitions, Chapter Team is and will always be my favorite; however, I have soft spots for Extemporaneous Presentation and Desktop Publishing as well.

What advice do you have for current TSA members? 

Be confident in your ability to accomplish your goals and never be afraid to set big goals for yourself. Do not forget those who helped you along the way—and stay humble!