Matt Turner

Email: 
matt.turner20@gmail.com
Year: 
2017
Department / Program: 
Mechanical Engineering

Bio

Matt Turner grew up in Northern California and since a young age, he has had an affinity for puzzles, trucks, and construction toys construction that were hands on. His eagerness to build and design objects was evident throughout his childhood and has played a large role in leading him to UC Santa Barbara where he is in the final year of earning his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. While at UCSB, Matt has also become involved with the Technology Management Program by seeking a certificate, which includes coursework focused on entrepreneurship and business strategy. This combination of engineering and technology management has fueled his passion to be a project manager in a technology-based company after graduation. 

One of Matt’s biggest strengths is his ability to communicate professionally with others. Whether he’s explaining a solution to a technical problem within his Capstone team or giving a presentation in front of his Northrop Grumman engineering advisors, he is able to effectively communicate his ideas to all. Matt possesses an understanding of how to properly communicate engineering concepts to not only his team members, but to individuals with no prior knowledge of his Capstone Project. Creating relationships, sharing ideas, and socializing simply to learn more about others is something Matt strives to do every day.  

Furthermore, Matt’s inherent ability to lead others is exemplified in his Capstone Project work and through various organizations at UCSB. Matt takes pride in every organization and activity he participates in by holding leadership positions. By taking advantage of such opportunities throughout his college experience, Matt has proven his ability to hold great responsibility. Matt enjoys inspiring others, promoting positive change, and achieving common goals with the teams and organizations he has worked with throughout his four years at UCSB. 

UC Santa Barbara’s Senior Capstone Project has been an all-around great experience for Matt giving him valuable insight into what it’s like to be an engineer on a design project in a technology-based company. He’s refined his communication and leadership skills while pushing himself and his team to create a high-quality final product. The experience and knowledge Matt gained from the Senior Capstone Project at UCSB have laid the groundwork as he prepares for the future. Matt will graduate from the College of Engineering at UCSB in June and plans to attend graduate school, pursue a job in the renewable energy field and obtain a pilot license within the next five years.