Beyond The Competition

In this episode of Beyond the Competition, hosts Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz sit down with three engineers who have taken different paths from university engineering programs into industry careers. Joining the show are Ben Baize, Controls Engineer at Pratt Miller, Evan Wiedemeier, Rotational Engineer at Oshkosh Corporation and former AutoDrive Challenge student, and Land Barnum, Electrification En...

As teams prepare for Baja SAE New York 2026, Mike Sorg sits down with Baja SAE Program Manager Damon Andring and event organizers Steven Shurski and Andrew Beckmann to discuss everything competitors need to know before arriving at Hogback Hill. From registration and Fast Track Rosters to engine check, technical inspection requirements, and event safety expectations, this episode serves as your ess...

How does a Formula SAE student go from building aero packages and carbon fiber layups to becoming Chief of Staff at a semiconductor startup? On this episode of Beyond the Competition, hosts Mike and Scott talk with Joshua Kim about his journey from the University of Illinois Formula SAE EV team to leadership at Synergy Research Labs. Joshua shares how hands-on experience in Formula SAE taught him...

Get ready for Baja SAE Oregon with this essential “Know Before You Go” episode of Beyond the Competition, the SAE University Programs Podcast. Host Mike Sorg is joined by Baja SAE Program Manager Damon Andring and Organizing Committee Chairman Tom Paasch to break down everything competitors need to know before arriving in Washougal. From registration requirements and tech inspection prep to traile...

In this episode of Beyond the Competition, Mike and Scott welcome Caleb Chamberlain, CEO and co-founder of Oshkut, to discuss how on-demand metal fabrication is revolutionizing the way student engineering teams build. Caleb shares the origin of his company—from a challenging VR motion rig project to a rapidly growing fabrication platform—and explains how Oshkut is uniquely designed for high-mix, l...

Heading to SAE Aero Design West 2026? This Know Before You Go episode has you covered. In this episode, we talk with students, teams, and SAE staff to give you a full picture of what to expect at competition—from technical inspection and design judging to the real-world challenges teams face getting their aircraft ready to fly. You’ll hear firsthand experiences about preparation, travel, teamwork,...

In this episode of Beyond the Competition – the SAE University Programs Podcast, hosts Mike Sorg and Scott Schultz are joined by Gretchen Urenek and special guest Bridget O’Connell, president of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Women’s Baja SAE Team and winner of the Max Rumbaugh Outstanding Student Leadership Award.  Bridget shares her journey from building and innovating on her team’s e...

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 Ho...

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 reim...

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 lai...

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 innov...

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...

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: • The significance of the Max...

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 oppo...

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 technolo...

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 Want us to visit your school? Email...

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 h...

In this special “Know Before You Go” edition, host Mike Sorg is joined by SAE Program Manager Damon Andring and Maryland event organizer Zach Love to give teams an essential rundown ahead of Baja SAE Maryland 2025. The episode covers everything students need to know to be ready for the week, including: • Crucial Documents: Be sure to bring your Fast Track roster and latest tech inspection sheets,...

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 0:45 UCLA Workshop visits 0:55
 Live Stream 1:12
 SAE Survey...

In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we welcome Matt Wasowski, the producer of virtual events for SAE International. Matt shares the behind-the-scenes story of SAE’s transition into impactful and accessible online events—developed during the pandemic but continuing strong today. We explore how these events offer real-time industry insights, including timely topics like EV infrastructure...

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.
 Know Before You Go 0:26 Fast Track Rosters 0:38
Email Collcomps@sae.org if y...

In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we’re joined by the Endurance Event captains for Formula SAE IC: Laura Krauser, Matt Kalmus, and Cory Johnson. Together, they break down important updates to the Endurance Event format for the 2025 competition. The trio discusses the evolution of the event’s operations, including the strategic scheduling structure aimed at improving team communication...

In this “Know Before You Go” episode, SAE University Programs Media Producer Mike Sorg and CDS Action News host Scott Schultz sit down with Zeke Bowden, Competition Director, and Glenn Cashion, Airboss, to walk teams through everything they need to know before arriving at SAE Aero Design East 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. Listeners will get a comprehensive overview of: • The event structure and key c...

Get ready for Baja SAE Arizona 2025! In this special episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, host Scott Schultz sits down with Damon Andring, Program Manager for Baja SAE, to break down everything teams need to know before heading to Tucson, Arizona. 🎯 Learn about: • Site logistics and key entrance info • Tech inspection tips and registration requirements • Safety guidelines on an active farm venu...

What happens when a Formula SAE team trades carbon fiber for hemp? In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we talk with Alton Coolidge from Olin College of Engineering about his team’s bold experiment — building an aero kit for their Formula car using sustainable hemp materials. Alton shares how the idea came together, why hemp was the perfect choice for their budget and workspace, and what...