Colton Longobardi 

I am currently attending Florida Institute of Technology, where I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering. My interest in engineering began in high school and has continued to grow through hands-on experience and education. Science and math have always been subjects I enjoyed, and I chose engineering because I enjoy solving problems, designing solutions, and understanding how things work. I completed the Engineering Program at the James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (JFCTC), an opportunity I was encouraged to pursue by my older brother, who had previously completed the program. The program introduced me to CAD, SolidWorks, machinery, drafting, and hands-on engineering, which helped turn my interest in engineering into a career goal.

Completing the JFCTC Engineering Program gave me a strong foundation for college engineering and valuable experience working on technical projects. I am now building on that foundation at Florida Tech as a Mechanical Engineering major. I have also gained real-world engineering experience through my internship at Platform Aerospace, where I have expanded my drafting skills and gained a better understanding of how engineering is applied in a professional environment.

Athletics have also played an important role in shaping who I am. Throughout high school, I participated in soccer, basketball, lacrosse, cross-country, and track and field. As a captain of the lacrosse and cross-country teams, I learned that leadership is not just about personal success, but about being someone teammates can rely on and helping the people around you succeed. Competing in SMAC, regional, and state championships taught me the importance of discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and commitment.

Now that I am in college, my goal is to continue developing the technical and professional skills necessary to become a successful Mechanical Engineer. I want to gain additional experience through internships and opportunities related to engineering and the Department of Defense, particularly in the aviation field. In the future, I hope to use my engineering skills to create practical solutions that improve people's lives, contribute to important projects, and give back to the community that supported me. I also hope my experiences can encourage other students to pursue opportunities in engineering and technical fields.