Resume

His first assignment as a PDE was to release an entire color change of the DuraStar and WorkStar models. This was a huge challenge and a steep learning to familiarize himself with the entire truck interior, the variation Navistar offers and the variety of tools PDEs use daily. Since then, he has successfully launched the Flat Instrument Panel on time and under budget into Navistar's new MV and HV product lines. Throughout his time in engineering, he learned the importance of time management and attention to detail required to meet key program timing milestones. He had the opportunity to support all MV and HV builds starting from CERT to Job 1 at both Escobedo and Springfield plant.

Seeing Navistar's product used by the manufacturing team introduces efficiency and design ideas to simplify installation and reduce the time required to install. He also learn the importance of cross functional agreement between different systems and team to be successful in releasing quality parts.

Why Purdue Engineering?

Joining the student body at Purdue University and taking thought provoking classes with reputable professors allowed him to answer his questions, and maybe even contributed to the answers of yet undiscovered marvels. He discovered that there are plenty opportunities available to become a part of some organization and becoming a better leader. Purdue University is one of the highest ranking mechanical engineering programs which better prepared him for the real world and his career. Further into the program he began to realize how difficult obtaining this degree was and the importance of this degree to be able to offer solutions to other peoples’ lives. This also assured him that he made the correct decision in pursing the correct career. Serge's interests in cars and robots along with his mechanical engineering degree allowed him to land job in the automotive and trucking industries. Being a part of a school that is ranked 7th, he knew that he received the best knowledge available.

Credentials and Experience

Serge graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette. In the past he had a special opportunity to be the youngest member of a robotics team. He was able to prove his excellence by winning weekly competitions and also showing his knowledge in designing and programing robots to meet a set of requirements. New challenges were picked each week that involved having the robot follow a black line, measure distances, organizing blocks of difference colors, and many more.

Purdue’s core program for Mechanical Engineering has prepared him to solve many real world engineering challenges – whether it be solar energy, cyberspace security or simply enhancing everyday living. Purdue also prepared him for a multicultural diverse world. As engineers, most of the time is working with people all over the world. People have to work together on different aspects of design to create a final product.

Serge worked in the automotive industry for three summers and went to school for two years learning to become an automotive technician. He also worked in the racing industry as a pit crew member. This was a great rush because he was able to utilized the things he learned into an adrenaline rush position that required fast decisions to be made in split of a second. Serge knew that being an automotive technician will not be his ideal career path but it helped him decide that he wanted to go into the automotive area. During those years he was familiarized with different systems of the car – engine performance, heating and air condition, power terrain, steering and suspension, brakes and electrical systems. He's able to diagnose a problem, repair the problem and also do the required paperwork to complete the process. During these processes he also learned how to communicate with customers, part dealers and engineers. It also taught him to become a leader because he was able to instruct other workers on how to repair the problem. He's now able to reflect what he learned during that stage to his career in mechanical engineering.

Becoming a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success (ΣΑΠ) allowed him to further develop his skills as a leader. As a member we practiced how to become a leader and how to meet goals in the future.

In High school He was a part of SkillsUSA which is an organization for leadership and skills. He participated in a weekend long conference where we were placed in leader type situations and had to act as a leader to solve a given problem. Team building was also an emphasis and enabled us to better communicate and interact with others in a proper manner.

Professional Interests

As an engineer he holds a position to better peoples’ everyday lives. Since an automotive industry is a major engineering challenge he would like to become a part of some solution. Robotics is a big need in the automotive industry. In the future he would like to incorporate robots and automotive aspects into his career. All these aspect would involve some kind of interaction with a diverse and flat world that we live in today. Serge expects to become a huge contributor to the automotive and trucking industry.