Building an Engineering Career Through Curiosity, Leadership, and Hands-On Experience

Adesuwa Dawodu's journey into engineering has been shaped not by a single defining experience, but by a series of opportunities that allowed her to develop as both a technical contributor and a team member. With a foundation in mechanical engineering and experiences spanning infrastructure, student design teams, leadership roles, and industrial automation, she has cultivated a broad perspective on what it means to solve problems through engineering.

One of the earliest experiences that influenced her approach to engineering was her involvement with her university's Solar Car Team. Adesuwa initially joined the team from **January 2022 to May 2022**, contributing to a project that required students from various disciplines to work toward a common objective under real-world constraints. Unlike a typical classroom assignment, the solar car project demanded iterative design, careful planning, and effective collaboration over extended periods.

After stepping away for a semester, she returned to the team in **August 2023** and remained involved as the project evolved. This long-term commitment allowed her to transition from simply participating to developing a deeper understanding of the engineering process. Over time, she refined her abilities in computer-aided design, engineering analysis, and design decision-making while gaining firsthand experience with the challenges of balancing performance goals, manufacturability, available resources, and team dynamics.

Sustained involvement in a complex, student-led engineering initiative also taught her lessons that extend beyond technical knowledge. Engineering projects rarely progress exactly as planned. Deadlines shift, designs require revision, and teams must adapt to new information. Through the Solar Car Team, Adesuwa learned the value of persistence, flexibility, and clear communication—qualities that continue to shape her approach to professional work.

Seeking exposure beyond the university setting, Adesuwa pursued opportunities to gain experience in public-sector engineering through internships with the **Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)**.

During her first internship from **June 2024 to August 2024**, she gained insight into the standards, processes, and responsibilities associated with transportation infrastructure projects. Working within a government agency highlighted the importance of precision, documentation, safety considerations, and adherence to established procedures. Infrastructure engineering carries significant public responsibility, and the experience reinforced the importance of thoroughness and accountability in technical work.

Returning to IDOT for a second summer internship from **June 2025 to August 2025** provided an opportunity to build upon that foundation with greater confidence and independence. Returning employees often bring a stronger understanding of organizational expectations, allowing them to contribute more effectively and take on increasingly meaningful responsibilities. The decision to return also reflects a mutual recognition of value: organizations frequently re-engage interns who have demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and a strong work ethic.

During her time with IDOT, Adesuwa also had the opportunity to supervise and support an entry-level employee. This responsibility offered valuable experience in leadership and mentorship at an early stage in her career. Effective engineering is not solely about technical expertise; it often requires guiding others, communicating expectations clearly, and fostering productive working relationships. Learning to balance these responsibilities alongside technical tasks strengthened her ability to contribute within team-oriented environments.

Outside of traditional engineering settings, Adesuwa further developed her leadership capabilities through her role as a **Student Manager at Marshall Brooks Library**. In this position, she coordinated day-to-day operations, assisted in supervising other student employees, addressed challenges as they arose, and helped ensure that services continued to run smoothly.

Although library management differs significantly from engineering practice, the role cultivated transferable skills that are highly relevant across industries. Time management, organization, conflict resolution, and effective communication are essential in environments where projects involve multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. Managing responsibilities while simultaneously completing a demanding engineering curriculum demonstrated discipline and adaptability—traits that serve engineers well throughout their careers.

Alongside her formal work experiences, Adesuwa pursued technical interests that extended beyond her academic requirements. Her curiosity led her toward industrial automation and controls, areas that increasingly intersect with modern manufacturing and mechanical systems. Through independent projects and self-directed learning, she explored PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial simulation platforms.

Approaching these technologies through a problem-solving lens allowed her to better understand how mechanical equipment, sensors, software, and human operators interact within automated systems. This interdisciplinary perspective complements her mechanical engineering background and reflects an appreciation for the increasingly integrated nature of engineering practice.

Viewed collectively, Adesuwa's experiences reveal several consistent themes: a willingness to take initiative, a commitment to continuous learning, and an ability to contribute effectively in both technical and collaborative settings. Her multi-year involvement with the Solar Car Team demonstrates persistence and long-term investment in complex engineering projects. Her consecutive internships with IDOT reflect professional growth and adaptability within structured engineering environments. Her leadership experiences illustrate a capacity to support others while managing responsibilities of her own.

As she continues to build her engineering career, Adesuwa brings with her an understanding that successful engineers must be more than technically competent. They must be able to learn continuously, work effectively with others, communicate across disciplines, and remain resilient when faced with uncertainty.

Her experiences to date suggest an engineer who values both technical excellence and collaboration—someone who approaches challenges with curiosity, embraces opportunities for growth, and understands that engineering is ultimately about improving systems in ways that benefit the people who depend on them.