Student Profile: Jason Corona
Meet Jason Corona: A senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State University (SJSU), and lives in South San Francisco. He is the first in his family to pursue a college education, let alone in the engineering field. Jason reflects on his journey, acknowledging the inspiration drawn from his older siblings’ successes. Motivated by his family’s journey from Tonaya in Jalisco, Mexico, to the United States in pursuit of better opportunities, Jason embraces his role as a first-generation college student with a sense of responsibility. Jason’s cultural environment influences him with a deep appreciation for hard work and a drive to pave the way for others in the Latino community to pursue their dreams in the underrepresented engineering field.
For Jason, engineering isn’t just a field of study; it’s a passion and desire to solve real-world problems. His fascination with problem-solving and design stems from his internship at Stanford’s Computational Imaging Laboratory, where he was first exposed to Python coding where he utilized it for depth map imaging that is similar to those used in the automotive field. Even though he was nervous at first, it eventually led him to pursue a career where he could apply engineering principles to make a tangible difference.
Opting for SJSU’s College of Engineering was a strategic move for Jason. Being the center of Silicon Valley, SJSU offered him a plethora of opportunities to grow personally and professionally. The vibrant and diverse community along with a robust curriculum prepared him for a future beyond academia, and into the real world.
Jason’s journey was made smoother by the support of scholarships, notably the Ching Family Scholarship and the Steven Meacham Memorial Scholarship. These financial aid resources alleviated the burden of commuting expenses, allowing him to focus more on his studies and less on monetary worries. As a commuter, Jason’s plan after graduating is to leverage his mechanical engineering expertise to revolutionize transportation, wanting to make that a reality with a public company. Whether it’s making trains more sustainable or contributing to the development of eco-friendly automobiles, he is driven by a vision of a greener, more efficient future.
Like many, Jason grappled with self-doubt along the way. However, he learned to overcome these feelings by acknowledging his accomplishments and embracing his journey with gratitude. His advice to others facing similar struggles is to trust in their abilities and seek strength from their support systems. Reflecting on his journey, Jason would advise his younger self and other freshmen embarking on similar paths to trust in the learning process, not to feel overwhelmed with early engineering classes, and the importance of early internship exploration. He encourages students to embrace challenges and seize growth opportunities.
Engaged in both academic and extracurricular pursuits, Jason is a member of the Pi Tau Sigma mechanical engineering honor society and completed the Leadership and Career Certificate Program at SJSU. These activities broaden his horizons, connecting him with like-minded individuals and preparing him for the professional world.
Jason’s dream job involves his commitment to societal betterment, significantly to the transportation sector. He envisions a future where transportation is not just efficient but also sustainable, playing a crucial role in combating climate change. Jason’s journey and dreams are not just for himself but for a family, a community, and a society. We wish Jason the best in his future endeavors and are honored to have Jason Corona here at SJSU College of Engineering as a student.
Club Video Contest
As we welcome Engineering Week, we are hosting our annual video contest. Record a 1 minute or less video (think “elevator pitch”) that showcases one of the following:
- Show why your student club/organization is special
- Share your individual or team project
- Explain why you chose your major or department–what is the coolest thing about it?
PRIZES:
- 1st place: $500
- 2nd place: $300
- 3rd place: $200
- Runner up x2: $100/ each
Post it on Instagram, tag @sjsuengineering, and fill out this form to enter the competition. Winners will be based on the total amount of likes and comments.
DUE DATE: Sunday, February 25th, at midnight.
Good luck everyone!!!
2024 Black Engineering of The Year award (BEYA)
Ken Washington has recently won the 2024 Black Engineering of The Year award (BEYA). He is the former VP of Lockheed Martin, Ford, and Amazon Lab126, currently, he is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Medtronic, leading the 100,000-employee company. He got his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in nuclear engineering. In 2020 and 2023, he was inducted into both the National Academy of Engineering and the Black Engineer Hall of Fame.
During Ken’s acceptance speech, he expresses gratitude for those who have walked the stage before him and how his first BEYA attendance was somewhat 20 years ago, when he was amazed by all the engineering professionals that he saw himself looking like. He emphasizes that the young engineers of today should be curious and learn everything they can, especially in an age of A.I., reflecting that this advice has helped him to jump from sectors like core computing experts to internal combustion engines to smart devices to smart home devices and making new connections along the way.
Finally, he thanks his family for nurturing and inspiring him, especially his dad, Dr. Roosevelt Washington, Jr., in always prioritizing and advocating his higher education career.
SJSU vs Colorado State
ATTENTION, SJSU ENGINEERING STUDENTS! Get ready to turn up the heat and unleash your Spartan spirit! Join us for an electrifying afternoon as we rally together to cheer on our phenomenal Women’s Basketball team in a face-off against Colorado State on Saturday, March 2nd!
Set your alarms for 1:00 pm, as the doors swing open, and the excitement begins to build! Once inside, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, connecting with current students, faculty, and alumni.
Don’t miss this golden opportunity to forge new connections and show your Spartan pride!
OpenAI “Sora” and it’s possible impact – Prof Ahmed Banafa
Professor Banafa interviews with Fox on the implications of OpenAI’s latest breakthrough, Sora. In this piece, he explores potential applications, such as in marketing and education, while addressing concerns about misinformation. He emphasizes the need for regulatory oversight and proactive measures to mitigate risks, comparing approaches in Europe with self-regulatory efforts among US tech companies.
Black History Month
