{"id":25823,"date":"2022-03-30T15:21:39","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T19:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=25823"},"modified":"2022-03-30T15:21:39","modified_gmt":"2022-03-30T19:21:39","slug":"adam-barksdale-16-applying-textile-engineering-knowledge-to-automotive-product-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2022\/03\/adam-barksdale-16-applying-textile-engineering-knowledge-to-automotive-product-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Adam Barksdale \u201916: Applying Textile Engineering Knowledge to Automotive Product Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By Kamilah Heslop <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Degree<\/strong> B.S. Textile Engineering, Concentration: Information Systems, 2016 I was born and raised in Virginia. I planned to apply to the top two universities in the state for engineering. Luckily, my aunt suggested that I apply to NC State, and I received two signs that I was destined to be in the Wolfpack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, I received my acceptance email during my tour \u2014 where I fell in love with the campus. Second, my out-of-state tuition when combined with grants and scholarships was less than the cost of in-state tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Jeff Joines played a major role<\/a> in my acceptance into the textile engineering program<\/a>, and he was my favorite professor. His classes, Computer-Based Modeling for Engineers (TE110), Information Systems Design (TE 440) and Lean Six Sigma (TE 404), were highly influential because Dr. Joines<\/a> tied his work experience into the curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers<\/a> and held multiple leadership positions in Collegiate 100<\/a>, which is an auxiliary organization of the 100 Black Men of America. Each group helped me build a network that supported me, socially and academically, throughout college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My fondest memory was the 2015 homecoming game against Clemson on Halloween. It was a high-scoring game, and we got the best t-shirts that were skeleton and Wilson College of Textiles themed. Only the textile students knew why it was referred to as the Textile Bowl. That is my favorite NC State t-shirt and it has survived multiple moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before I graduated, I was connected to multiple internships<\/a> through the college\u2019s Academic, Career and Student Services Office<\/a>. Once I started my career, my first manager taught me that engineers should make data-driven decisions. Many of the courses I took at the Wilson College of Textiles supported that mindset and were helpful in analyzing data. Additionally, a background in synthetic textiles is helpful in designing injection molded parts. Essentially, the thermoplastics are extruded into a mold instead of a spinneret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Textile Engineering 105: Materials and Systems, which is instructed by Professor Philip Bradford<\/a>, the biggest thing that I took away from the course was the breadth of the textile industry and how it evolves to survive in the U.S. economy. I took that same mentality and applied it to my job hunt, where I dissected any job description and applied it to a course in textile engineering. Once you have an engineering degree, the possibilities are endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a design engineer, I have managed cross-functional teams in order to manufacture quality products. My first job out of college was at Nissan, where I was a project manager for cost-reduction molding in the interior trim department. Once I became familiar with the product, I designed a few components for the 2022 Nissan Frontier. In 2019, my wife and I moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, and I worked for Tempur-Sealy International as a new product development engineer. I was responsible for launching Sealy’s flagship product \u2014 Sealy Hybrid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In September 2021, I accepted an engineering task leader position at Volvo in the driving environment group since it aligned with my background in automotive, injection molding and textiles.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n By Kamilah Heslop <\/p>\n\n\n\n Degree<\/strong> B.S. Textile Engineering, Concentration: Information Systems, 2016 I was born and raised in Virginia. I planned to apply to the top two universities in the state for engineering. Luckily, my aunt suggested that I apply to NC State, and I received two signs that I was destined to be in the Wolfpack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First, I received my acceptance email during my tour \u2014 where I fell in love with the campus. Second, my out-of-state tuition when combined with grants and scholarships was less than the cost of in-state tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Jeff Joines played a major role<\/a> in my acceptance into the textile engineering program<\/a>, and he was my favorite professor. His classes, Computer-Based Modeling for Engineers (TE110), Information Systems Design (TE 440) and Lean Six Sigma (TE 404), were highly influential because Dr. Joines<\/a> tied his work experience into the curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers<\/a> and held multiple leadership positions in Collegiate 100<\/a>, which is an auxiliary organization of the 100 Black Men of America. Each group helped me build a network that supported me, socially and academically, throughout college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My fondest memory was the 2015 homecoming game against Clemson on Halloween. It was a high-scoring game, and we got the best t-shirts that were skeleton and Wilson College of Textiles themed. Only the textile students knew why it was referred to as the Textile Bowl. That is my favorite NC State t-shirt and it has survived multiple moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before I graduated, I was connected to multiple internships<\/a> through the college\u2019s Academic, Career and Student Services Office<\/a>. Once I started my career, my first manager taught me that engineers should make data-driven decisions. Many of the courses I took at the Wilson College of Textiles supported that mindset and were helpful in analyzing data. Additionally, a background in synthetic textiles is helpful in designing injection molded parts. Essentially, the thermoplastics are extruded into a mold instead of a spinneret.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Job Title<\/strong> Driving Environment Engineer, Volvo Group Trucks
Current City<\/strong> Greensboro, NC
Hometown<\/strong> Hampton, VA<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy did you choose NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Who influenced you most during your time at the Wilson College of Textiles? And, why or how?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What activities were you involved in as an NC State student and how did they impact your experience?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What is your fondest memory of being at NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How did your education at the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for what you are doing today?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What advice do you have for current Wilson College of Textiles students?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Describe your career path.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Job Title<\/strong> Driving Environment Engineer, Volvo Group Trucks
Current City<\/strong> Greensboro, NC
Hometown<\/strong> Hampton, VA<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy did you choose NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Who influenced you most during your time at the Wilson College of Textiles? And, why or how?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What activities were you involved in as an NC State student and how did they impact your experience?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What is your fondest memory of being at NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How did your education at the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for what you are doing today?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What advice do you have for current Wilson College of Textiles students?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n