Beyond The Competition

The official Know Before You Go episode for SAE Aero Design East 2026 is here.

In this episode of Beyond the Competition, event leadership provides essential information for teams competing in Lakeland, Florida at Lakeland Linder International Airport.

You’ll hear important guidance from Program Lead David Sander, Contest Director Michael Bereswell, Air Boss Glenn Cashin, Deputy Director Sydney Hollis, and the SAE operations team as they walk through:

This episode is designed to ensure every team arrives prepared, informed, and ready to compete safely and professionally.

Make sure your documentation, Fast Track roster, and required materials are finalized before arrival, and download the Aero Design app for live updates during the event weekend.

We look forward to seeing you in Lakeland — stay safe out there and good luck at Aero Design East 2026.

In this episode of Beyond the Competition, Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz welcome Zac Pace, SAE Membership Specialist for Community Engagement, to break down how Sections and Chapters work together to support students and young professionals.

We explore how SAE involvement can help you build real industry connections, access mentoring opportunities, host industrial lectures, and even unlock dues reimbursements for your chapter. Zac also shares common mistakes schools make, why becoming a registered chapter matters, and how students can get more value from their SAE membership.

Whether you’re already competing in Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Aero Design, or just getting started — this conversation highlights resources that can accelerate your academic and professional journey.

👉 Learn how to start, reactivate, or engage with your SAE Chapter

📌 Have questions? Reach out: [email protected]

⸻

👍 Enjoyed the episode?

⸻

⸻

Beyond the Competition marks a major milestone as Baja SAE celebrates 50 years of innovation, competition, and hands-on engineering education. In this episode, hosts Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz are joined by Dr. William Shapton, one of the original contributors to the creation of Baja SAE.

Dr. Shapton takes listeners back to the early 1970s, when experimental design competitions like REV 73–75 laid the groundwork for what would become Baja SAE. He explains why traditional senior design programs needed change, how building and testing real vehicles reshaped engineering education, and how student competition became the catalyst for deeper learning.

The conversation covers the practical challenges of launching the first events, including keeping costs low, securing industry support, and organizing competitions that schools could realistically enter. Dr. Shapton also shares memorable stories from early Baja events—from desert riverbeds and motocross tracks to nationwide expansion and international participation.

This episode explores how Baja SAE influenced accreditation standards, strengthened ties between students and professional engineers, and helped inspire other collegiate competitions such as Formula SAE and Supermileage. It’s a reflective look at how a student-focused idea evolved into a global program that continues to prepare engineers for real-world problem solving.

Whether you’re a current competitor, an alumnus, or simply curious about the origins of collegiate engineering competitions, this episode offers rare insight into the history, impact, and legacy of Baja SAE.

In this special episode of the SAE Beyond the Competition Podcast, we spotlight an inspiring Women in Motorsports panel discussion held at the Baja SAE Carolina event.

Join us as a group of dynamic women share their experiences navigating the world of motorsports engineering, from breaking stereotypes and balancing team dynamics, to finding mentorship, tackling imposter syndrome, and leading innovations in vehicle design and leadership. Whether you’re a current competitor, alumni, or prospective team member, this panel offers valuable insight and encouragement for all genders working in STEM and motorsports fields.

🎧 Hear from passionate leaders, students, and professionals as they reflect on:

📍Recorded live at Baja SAE Carolina, this episode captures the energy, challenges, and triumphs of women paving the way in a competitive engineering landscape.

🔗 For more information on Baja SAE and upcoming events, visit https://bajasae.net

Headed to Baja SAE Carolina 2025? This special Know Before You Go episode of the SAE: Beyond the Competition Podcast is your essential audio companion to prepare for the event! 🎙️

Join the SAE team as we walk through everything students, faculty advisors, and volunteers need to know before arriving in South Carolina. From on-site registration procedures to technical inspection expectations, event safety, and team logistics, this episode is packed with important insights, reminders, and tips to help your team succeed on and off the track.

📍Whether you’re a rookie team or a seasoned competitor, this is your chance to get a head start on the competition weekend.

✅ Topics include:

🔗 For maps, schedules, and official updates, visit: https://www.bajasae.net

Don’t show up unprepared — listen in and share with your whole team!

In this episode of the SAE Tomorrow Today podcast, we spotlight Anish Srivastava, recipient of the SAE International Award for Outstanding Student Leadership in STEM Honoring Max Rumbaugh. Anish shares his path as a student leader, the impact of volunteering within SAE, and how mentorship and service have shaped both his career and community.

Listeners will discover:

🔗 Nominations are open through September 30. Learn more and submit here: https://www.sae.org/participate/awards/sae-international-award-for-outstanding-student-leadership-in-stem-honoring-max-rumbaugh

In this special episode from Formula SAE EV 2025, we sit down for the Empowering Women in Mobility panel featuring leaders from General Motors, PACCAR, Kenworth, and Rivian Volkswagen Technologies.

Panelists Jessica Swan, Jackie Zimney, Zuzana Pankovcin, Tasha Krug, Emily Wilson, and Gayathri Gatla share their journeys into STEM and the mobility industry, the challenges they’ve faced, and the opportunities that shaped their careers. From launching electric vehicles at Rivian to recruiting top engineering talent at PACCAR, each story highlights resilience, mentorship, and the importance of diversity in driving innovation.

Key topics include:

This panel offers candid advice and empowering stories for students, professionals, and anyone passionate about the future of sustainable mobility.

In this episode of Beyond the Competition, we sit down with two powerhouse minds from the mobility and defense sectors: Kevin Kwiatkowski, VP of Engineering at Pratt Miller, and Joe DeHaan, Chief Engineer at Oshkosh Corporation. We dive into their collaborative innovations, from the high-speed world of motorsports with Corvette Racing to cutting-edge electrification and autonomous vehicle technology.

Hear behind-the-scenes stories about how Pratt Miller’s racing-derived tech is improving firefighting vehicles, insights from hosting Baja SAE in Oshkosh, and reflections on their own journeys as former Baja and Formula SAE student competitors. Plus, learn how these industry leaders support the next generation through SAE Collegiate Design Series events and what opportunities are available for students today.

🔧 Topics Covered:

📺 Watch Baja SAE Oshkosh 2023 highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hy3WXps_w

To learn more about careers at Oshkosh Corporation or to stay connected about future opportunities in your area of interest, visit careers.oshkoshcorp.com/

CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.

Congratulations 0:39

Workshop Visits 1:01

Look Back at Aero Design 1:31

SAE Mentor Program 2:32

Look Back at Baja 2:51

Beyond the Competition Podcast 4:31

CDS Photos 4:43

Look Back at Formula 4:55

In this episode, Carson Wilke joins the show to share his journey from competing in Formula SAE at Texas A&M to becoming a rocket engineer at Relativity Space. Carson discusses his current role working on quick disconnect systems that enable rockets to launch safely and efficiently, and how his FSAE experience laid the foundation for his engineering career—right down to being hired by one of his design finals judges.

He reflects on the intense heat of the Las Vegas competition, the importance of team collaboration, and how the hands-on experience from SAE events directly translates into the high-stakes world of aerospace engineering. Carson also highlights his ongoing involvement as a judge and sponsor, encouraging current students to value teamwork, seize networking opportunities, and treat every interaction as a potential career connection.

From FSAE to launching rockets, Carson offers practical advice and inspiration to the next generation of engineers.

👉 Subscribe to SAE Beyond the Competition on your favorite podcast app or watch new episodes on the SAE University Programs YouTube channel to stay connected with the future of engineering.