Joshua Elmer

Even as his academic course load became heavier and more challenging, Warren College and Aerospace Engineering major Joshua has remained deeply committed to his education which, he says, has begun to pay off in dividends. “My greatest personal achievement to date has been earning a chance to work at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, an opportunity I’d only ever thought I could dream of.” He has had the chance to work with some of the most talented engineers there and has applied what he has learned to help build a satellite which will improve climate observation. “It’s been an amazing experience developing my engineering skills and participating in such a meaningful project. This opportunity has made me extremely grateful for the support I’ve received from my friends, family, and from the generous donors who have sponsored me thus far, as it has helped make these achievements possible for me.”

His involvement in the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (RPL), a student organization at UC San Diego, continues to be an interest of Joshua’s and keeps him excited about his education as he has become a more integral part of the engineering community at UC San Diego. His current position as RPL’s President has allowed Joshua to learn about an aspect of engineering he may never have otherwise been interested in: “I’m perhaps most grateful for the opportunity the position has given me to interact with members from every department of our diverse team. I’ve made friends and developed close professional connections with members of all different skill-sets and backgrounds, giving me a unique insight into the club as a whole and also allowing me to pick up new ideas from people I might not otherwise have interacted with.” Even beyond this, he shared that “being part of RPL and becoming President has allowed me to take on a leadership role and a very serious responsibility, which has given me a chance to hone my skills as a leader and develop better teamwork, communication, and organizational skills I’ll use the rest of my life.” Even though these extra responsibilities are a lot of work, he is certain that it has helped make him a better peer and a better engineer overall. 

There are still things to consider for Joshua, like whether to go straight to industry, or head to graduate school first. In the meantime, he continues to learn and hone his engineering talents. “My passion for engineering stems from my love of helping others and expanding both my own knowledge and that of those around me. I sincerely hope to find an opportunity in the future where I can grow as an engineer and as a person while also contributing to society and helping others expand their horizons and see the possibilities that the future has to offer.”