Jake Rivard
Competitor in Skill: Mechanical Engineering Design - CAD
Country: United States of America
How did you get interested in your skill?
To be honest, I saw the film Iron Man. I had always been interested in math and science, but when I saw that film it really showed me how STEM could provide me with a path to help people. I most likely won’t build an Iron Man suit, but this career path has provided me with a chance to use my particular set of skills to solve all sorts of problems.
Where did you do your training for your skill?
I received my training in the Drafting and Engineering Vocational Program at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts. There, the world-class staff and instructors gave me the tutelage and resources I needed to develop my skills to this current level.
How did you first find out about your Member organization and its programs?
I first found out about my member organization from my high school. Many students from Blackstone Valley Tech compete in SkillsUSA in the District, State, and National levels. After seeing the opportunities students could earn through SkillsUSA, I was immediately interested in competing and being involved.
Who influenced you to pursue your skill as a career?
I have loved math and science ever since I was old enough to attend school. These interests made engineering seem like an exciting career path, especially when combined with problem solving.
What is your experience in participating with your Member organization?
My member organization has provided me with opportunities to further myself both professionally and technically. SkillsUSA provided me with motivation to further myself in my field, turning a vocation into a competition where young professionals can measure themselves against one another. SkillsUSA has also given me opportunities to network with experienced and influential professionals working in my field today.
Describe your most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills?
My most memorable moment so far with WorldSkills was meeting the governor of Massachusetts. The day after his inauguration he visited my high school, and because I am a WorldSkills competitor I was invited back to the school for the day and given the privilege of meeting him.
Describe what your experience has been since your involvement with WorldSkills
Since my involvement with WorldSkills my technical training has increased exponentially. As an American I am faced with the challenge of taking all of my technical knowledge and applying it to international standards. I have worked my whole life in English units and American standards, but in Brazil international standards will be used.
Besides this, being involved in WorldSkills has also exposed me to an entire new side of my member organization. Organizing events, travel, and training has introduced me to the people who work behind the scenes to ensure that everything goes as planned, giving me a new appreciation for the organization as a whole.
Did participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills help you progress in your skill? Please describe.
Participating in the skills competitions and training for WorldSkills helped me progress in my skill immensely. Mechanical Engineering Design is an extremely broad competition, and the test piece could quite literally be any physical system. The training has allowed me to diversify my expertise, and better prepare me for any surprises that await me in Brazil.
What do you currently do? Where do you work?
I am currently a full time engineering student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester Massachusetts pursuing an undergraduate degree.
What are your future career aspirations?
In the future I aspire to work on complicated and challenging, but important problems. As an engineer there will be many pathways available to me upon graduation, but I will be content with any position that draws on all aspects of my abilities.
Eventually I would like to use my technical and career skills in a teaching position, to help future engineers and problem solvers develop their own skills.