Christopher Stauber ’21, a mechanical engineering major with a concentration in acoustics, found himself interested in music as much as math and science since middle school. When he discovered UHart’s mechanical engineering program, he realized he could pursue both his love of music and his love of engineering. “It was the best of both worlds for me,” he says. Now in his final semester at UHart, Stauber received multiple job offers after weeks of interviewing and networking. He will begin working shortly after graduation as a mechanical engineer in training (EIT) at the Washington, DC, location of the design firm BKV Group. This stays true to the strength of UHart’s acoustics program, which has historically yielded 100 percent graduate rates for all of its students because not only are they well-prepared by faculty and experiences here, but they also get ahead of applying to jobs before commencement.
When Stauber was accepted to UHart four years ago, he volunteered to participate in the “Hawk for a Day” experience, where he was paired up with a current student in his program of interest. He was paired up with WeSaam Lepak ’18, who also majored in mechanical engineering with a concentration in acoustics.
Christopher Stauber ’21, mechanical engineering with acoustics concentrationDuring the Hawk for a Day experience, I had many great conversations with WeSaam about Dr. Bob’s acoustics program, the benefit of the small class sizes at UHart, and how easy and important is was to form relationships with faculty at UHart. It was clear students weren’t ‘just a number’ to faculty and staff on campus. After that day and experience, I committed to UHart and never looked back.
Stauber has not ceased to take advantage of any opportunity that comes his way. Before his final semester started, he completed his Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to land a job as an EIT. He hopes this experience in his first full-time role will help him earn his professional engineer’s (PE) license. For many aspiring engineering students, it is important to note that many graduating seniors take this exam before graduation. Stauber explains once you pass the FE exam, you need to wait five years (depending on the state) before being able to sit for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam and get a PE license. In those five years, individuals can work as an EIT, building experience and growing a strong professional network to have at least three references before being able to sit for the PE exam.
Like many students, Stauber chose to attend UHart because of the small class sizes and unique acoustics program. “One of my favorite parts about UHart is the people,” he explains. “I’ve felt lucky to have met some great people from all over the world because I chose to attend this university.” Stauber also credits much of his success and joy of being a hawk to his faculty, particularly Bob Celmer, professor of acoustical engineering and music, and Ivana Milanovic, professor of mechanical engineering. “Dr. Celmer and Dr. Milanovic have both helped me better understand acoustics and simulation, and I can’t thank them enough."
Through his hard work in his classes and connecting with his faculty, Stauber was able to make connections in the industry to land two competitive internships during his undergraduate career. His first internship was at Venture Consulting, a small engineering consulting firm in Bridgewater, New Jersey, from June 2018 to August 2020. “During this internship, I was responsible for correcting and adjusting AutoCAD drawings for apartments, offices, and convenience stores, as well as MEP drawings and riser diagrams,” says Stauber. “This experience was relevant to my career goals because whenever I looked at these drawings and diagrams, I was working with others on the team to identify where to fix and place the mechanical components. My goal is to do similar work once I graduate.” Stauber explains how he and his team would calculate values such as the pressure drop across the pipe and the flow rates of various components. At his internship, he was able to tie back the knowledge and skills he learned in formulating calculations from his fluids and thermodynamics classes at UHart, which led to him being very successful in the program.
His most recent internship was last summer at General Dynamics Electric Boat. Stauber worked as a mechanical engineering intern in Department 415, where he would check engineering calculations for various mechanical components, as well as check redline drawings for technical errors.
This was another internship opportunity relevant to Stauber’s career goals. “As I would check the redline drawings for my team, I realized I was conducting the same or very similar calculations for the work I practiced in my high-level engineering classes, like machine design and thermal systems,” says Stauber. “I can testify just how impactful my classes at UHart were in providing me the knowledge and skills needed to solve problems at my internships and for any future opportunity.”
During the academic year, Stauber has kept himself busy by staying involved on campus. He currently serves as the exhaust system design lead for the UHart racing team, also known as the Society of Automotive Engineers (Formula SAE). “The reason I love the FSAE team is how dedicated and open-minded they are to new ideas,” he says. “They like the ideas of innovation and want to use good engineering methods to compete against other schools.”
Stauber has also been involved with the Red Caps Orientation group on campus. He says being part of the Red Caps is like being with family. “The chance to help new incoming students feel more comfortable with the transition from high school to college is what I enjoy most.”
Stauber is also part of the Acoustical Society of America UHart chapter, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers UHart chapter as their public relations lead, and the Newman Club.
When asked what advice he would share with incoming students, Stauber says to dive right in and be curious. “Don’t be afraid to explore your interests because engineering is not something you do and forget about once you are off the clock,” he says. “The unique problem-solving process that you learn is applicable to solving any problem that you run into inside and outside the classroom and ultimately becomes a part of you and how you see the world. Embrace this about yourself and you can accomplish anything.”