How student projects can propel you toward your dream career – University of Alberta

“I love watching the stars and thinking about the amazing stories and history each one kept,” says Crysta, a second-year engineering student who went from dreaming of space to designing and flying a near-space payload with her project team, Atmotech.

Atmotech is a student team at the U of A designing a foldable solar panel to fly on a stratospheric balloon as part of the Canadian Stratospheric Balloon Experiment (CAN-SBX) in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

AtmoTech Team (left to right): Mathew Gaddi, Guneet Dhillon, Sami El Khatib, Seth Grundner, William Ayala Platero, Crysta Madrio, Daniel Faltaous

These balloons fly to the edges of space and allow for space research without the need for rocket fuel. “By conducting tests in near-space environments, we anticipate both validating the system’s performance and collecting vital data for forthcoming research endeavours,” mentions Crysta. 

For those with a dream hoping to make it a reality, Crysta shares some tips on how she has begun laying the groundwork for her path to space by creating Atmotech. These skills are transferable not only to design competitions or student club teams, but also to group projects in classes and collaboration once you begin working. Whether you are looking to start a student project, want to learn skills for leadership and teamwork or are interested in the beginning of Crysta’s story, I encourage you to consider the path to your own dreams as you read this article!

When dreams become reality

Student clubs are an excellent way to become involved in communities that will open more doors! Oftentimes, following your passions leads you to doors you didn’t know existed. “I always liked mathematics, so I made the decision to pursue engineering,” says Crysta. “Now, I learned that choosing this path was the best decision for my growth, as it further encouraged me to continue pursuing my ambitions in the space industry.” 

When yearning for a dream job such as walking on the surface of the moon, it may seem far away with lots of unknown darkness. However, Crysta was able to find small guiding lights through student clubs. “If you have ever heard how amazing it can be to be in a club and how truly life-changing it is, the rumours are all true!” she notes. Being part of Mission SpaceWalker, she was introduced to a community of those with similar interests who helped her through entering this design competition. “They supported me in the path I want to pursue from the moment I met them,” she says. Don’t be afraid to tell the universe your dream. Chances are you will spark a conversation with someone with similar interests and lead you to new opportunities. 

Manufacturing Work Session in Elko Garage, University of Alberta

A team to start a team

Full of motivation to participate in the CAN-SBX experiment, Crysta contacted her friends and peers to pitch an exciting idea. Flying an experiment to the edges of space that could help sustainable space travel already sounds incredible, however like many projects, flying something to space does not turn into reality without a team. 

Halloween 2023

One of the most pressing choices you may face when starting a student project is choosing the right name. “Atmotech is a culmination of the words ‘atmosphere’ and ‘technology.’ Quite straightforward, but that was indeed the moment we all learned that the stratosphere is, in fact, a part of the atmosphere,” says Crysta.

All team members were included in the decision processes, including selecting the name. “When starting a student club, my advice is to make sure every team member is actively involved at every step. It’s not just about tasks and roles; it’s about creating an environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.” She mentions that the shared sense of ownership and camaraderie help bring out the best in each member and their experience.

What are the ways Atmotech achieves inclusiveness? Here are a few strategies Crysta implements on her own project team:

• Individual idea generation: When determining the concept, each member has time to come up with an idea individually including sketches and documentation. These ideas are then shared and discussed during team meetings, where a voting process helps narrow down the most compelling and applicable concept. 
• Open and honest communication: The team encourages conversations and listens to diverse perspectives, engaging team members regularly through weekly meetings or work sessions.
• Multidisciplinary experience: Members are empowered to take on various tasks based on their interests. Each member has the responsibility to remain accountable and freedom to contribute their passions.

Atmotech was founded in the fall of 2023, and despite being a new team, they have already been able to achieve a lot. Their solar photovoltaic cell technology is designed to be compact to travel on lunar rovers and general space applications. Crysta attributes this to their ability to work together and how each member is able to contribute their vision to the mission. During the manufacturing of the scissor extender component of the solar panel, she mentioned that the challenge was fun for everyone and helped the team bond. “Despite the challenges, including the numerous late nights during project milestones, tackling these obstacles as a team has transformed the process into a rewarding rollercoaster ride,” says Crysta. “This project so far, alongside my team members, made me believe that we can do anything!”

Maintaining motivation

Once you have established a team, Crysta mentions that it is important to keep members inspired and energized. “Maintaining motivation has become the most significant challenge so far,” notes Crysta, however, her team has implemented various strategies to ensure all members feel heard and understood. This includes:

• Regular team check-ins: empowering team members a chance to express their concerns and share successes
• Team bonding: encouraging a community within the team so members feel supported, such as holding events or organizing group work sessions
• Recognition: recognizing individual contributions also helped cultivate a positive and supportive environment for everyone

“By identifying the challenge of maintaining motivation proactively and collectively, we continue to build on this every day, further strengthening our team’s resilience and commitment to the project’s success.”

A leader is…

For Crysta, being the project manager of Atmotech helped her find a leadership style that encourages and empowers her team. A crucial role of project managers is to keep the team and information organized. For Crysta, this includes creating and maintaining organized project plans, timelines and documentation. “A lack of organization can lead to misunderstandings, delays and missed opportunities,” she says. The team utilizes tools like Google Drive with numbered and categorized folders to make information easy to find.

For Crysta, “an effective project manager fosters open communication, actively listens to team members and adapts their communication style to suit diverse stakeholders.” She also notes the importance of being clear, concise and transparent to ensure everyone is involved and included. For her, leadership is not just about orders but also about inspiring and supporting team members to perform their best. 

Project Manufacturing Group

On a team, it is common to face unexpected challenges. For Crysta, “being adaptable and resilient in the face of change is vital for overcoming obstacles and steering the project back on track.” Keeping information organized, encouraging communication and focusing on the task rather than panicking are all ways to tackle a challenge.

Furthermore, “project managers who lead by example, provide clear direction and recognize and celebrate team achievements create a positive and motivated work environment.” No matter the circumstance, Crysta leads her team by providing support to her members and keeping them organized so members are equipped with the tools to reach their full potential.

Making a path to your dream

Atmotech 2024 Team Photo 

You may be asking yourself how you can start your own project, or start developing skills to get closer to your dream career. For Crysta, AtmoTech is the beginning of her contribution to the mission of space development. “This project allows me to pursue my passion for space exploration while laying the foundation for a career that aligns with my long-term objectives in the space industry,” she says. For her, “Joining the Mission Spacewalker club made me realize that my dreams are realistic.” She encourages that students should “consider joining a club or exploring avenues to connect with individuals who share your passion and are actively working towards their goals. Surround yourself with those who have already made it, as their motivation and support can contribute greatly to your own journey towards success.”

Whether you are aspiring to venture into the space domain or working towards another industry, making these connections “can be instrumental in providing motivation, guidance and support,” says Crysta. Attend club fairs and interact with different groups that share your passions. If you know someone with a career you want to pursue, contact them for a coffee chat and learn about their journey and opportunities they would recommend. And if you cannot find the community you are looking for, you can always create it by inspiring a new team, maintaining motivation and employing your leadership skills.

Atmotech After Hours

“The hands-on experience and collaboration within the project have provided me with a better understanding of the processes involved in space development. This awareness has reinforced my commitment to my initial goals and inspired me to consider additional facets within the field that I may not have explored otherwise,” says Crysta.  Most people don’t know exactly what their next steps are, but if you have a guiding passion, you will eventually open the doors to where you want to go!

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