For as long as he can remember, Carson Karn '23 has been drawn to the way things work. As a kid, he was fascinated by how things were made and designed — and he didn’t mind math, of course.
“A simple Google search combining these two things together ultimately landed my decision on engineering,” Karn said.
The University of Dayton School of Engineering became the perfect fit, and he initially chose to major in electronic engineering technology before discovering that mechanical engineering technology aligned better with his future goals and interests.
“Circuits were not my strong suit,” Karn said. “The more conversations I had with mechanical engineers, the better fit I saw for myself.”
The mechanical engineering technology program focuses on skills in technical sciences, applied design, fluid mechanics, fluid power and computer-aided design to prepare engineers for careers in automation and design, robotics, product development, manufacturing, technical sales and more. UD offers three engineering technology programs — electronic engineering technology, industrial engineering technology and mechanical engineering technology — all of which encourage multidisciplinary collaboration between one another.
During his time at UD, Karn gained valuable real-world experience through two summer internships back home in Michigan — one at a plastic injection mold facility and another at a robotic vision system company.
“Gaining this experience gave me a taste of the real-world job and company that I could be working at,” Karn said. “Both gave me more insight as to how complex parts are manufactured.”
Back in the classroom, his engineering courses gave him the broad foundation he now relies on every day as an engineer. The multidisciplinary aspects of UD’s engineering technology programs introduced him to a wide variety of topics that prepared him to have conversations with any department at his current job.
“The vast diversity of classes helped me gain a foundational knowledge in multiple areas, making it easier to collaborate with colleagues across different teams,” Karn said. “Engaging in complex projects and discussions allowed me to develop the critical thinking skill that I use in my everyday workspace.”
After graduating in 2023, Karn accepted a position at Nidec Minster, a premier manufacturer of metal forming presses, coil line equipment, controls and related software. His eagerness to continue learning and growing didn’t stop after graduation.
“Through hard work and dedication, I have recently been promoted to project manager,” Karn said. “I aspire to continue growing in my career, ideally moving into a sales role where I can leverage my engineering background. With my technical knowledge, I can effectively understand complex equipment and communicate its value to potential customers.”
While Karn’s career goals have evolved since graduation, he credits the mechanical engineering technology program for preparing him with the hands-on and applied knowledge he needed to succeed.
“The hands-on and design-focused aspects of mechanical engineering technology quickly captured my interest,” Karn said. “The program allowed me to apply concepts in real-world scenarios which aligned with my ideal career path.”