Not only admired for their precise details, automobiles play a significant role in strengthening relationships between Ignite mentors and mentees. 

Tom Styczynski is a retired senior staff mechanical engineer from Lockheed Martin who values the importance of his mentee’s hobbies due to the new level of understanding it gives one another. His advice:

“Take time to understand the student including their hobbies, their approach to engineering, what brought them to engineering. If you know what their story is, it’s easier to guide them rather than trying to create a whole new narrative they may not be comfortable with.” 

This empathetic approach forms a secure atmosphere for students to feel both supported and inspired to deepen their interests with their mentor. Angel Vargas is one of Stycznkski’s mentees who greatly benefited from this mentoring method. 

This pair shares a love for automobiles inspiring their visit to Ken Austin’s car collection for their Ignite meetup. They had the opportunity of viewing many rare classic cars, all in mint condition. A true work of art with extreme precision to detail. As engineers, they shared a mutual admiration for the significant care and design that went into the body work and engine of each vehicle. Through this experience, Angel voiced the essential work-life balance needed when pursuing an engineering career,

“Yes you work – this is your job – but you must make time for the fun parts: your hobbies. It’s a work-life balance. We can get so caught up in the business that we forget to have fun.” 

This shared interest sprouted a surge of confidence for Angel to become a mentor himself, deepening his involvement with the engineering community. 

Angel has since graduated from the George Fox University engineering program and is now furthering his career at GK Machine, a manufacturing corporation that troubleshoots and redesigns machinery. 

With the support of Styczynski, Angel joined the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) where he made professional connections with like-minded people that shaped his success in the workforce today.

Angel motivates others to reach out to mentors while joining group activities, due to the surplus of opportunities and worthwhile relationships they provide.