Momentum - February 2019 - 12

FEATURE

STUDENT
GENERATION

HOW TO LEAD A TEAM

The Virginia Tech AutoDrive Challenge car at the start line
for the Lateral Challenge event in Yuma, Ariz., May 2018.
The team placed first in this event (one of three dynamic
events), and third place overall at the competition.

Virginia Tech engineering student discovers leadership skills she didn't
know she had.
THE THOUGHT OF BEING A LEADER is inherently intimidating. Your
followers are looking to you for guidance and you become responsible
for all of your group's actions. I know I was intimidated when I took on
the role of Project Manager of Victor Tango AutoDrive.
Virginia Tech's Victor Tango AutoDrive team had formed in 2018 to
compete in the AutoDrive Challenge, which is part of SAE International's
Collegiate Design Series (CDS). Unique in CDS, the AutoDrive Challenge
is a three-year competition, with the eight pre-selected teams vying to
win the three season championships (2018, 2019, 2020) along with the
overall championship.
When I joined it, the Victor Tango AutoDrive team had about 30
members. At its peak, almost 60 students were members. As project
manager, I was responsible for the overall progress of the team and
communications with affiliated faculty members.
Keeping an open mind throughout your experience will hopefully
let you meet some amazing people as you work on a challenging task
together. My experience on Victor Tango AutoDrive gave me more
confidence in my abilities and in my future as I moved toward graduation

12 February 2019

in December 2018. I would in no way call myself an
expert in this subject, but throughout the year I believe
I learned a few key points that will stick with me
throughout my career.

UNDERSTAND THE ROLE
This was tough for me in the beginning of my
experience because the role did not exist before.
We were a first-year team, and were still becoming
organized when I became project manager. I had to
walk myself through some of the next steps just to make
sure I understood the limitations and responsibilities
of my role, and to know who was available to help me
through the process.
Make sure you have a solid grasp on your
deliverables and target dates, and that your team is
able to refer to these milestones as well. Having a

MOMENTUM



Momentum - February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Momentum - February 2019

Momentum - February 2019
Contents
Go all in with your student membership
Briefs
Battling the elements
‘Hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck’
Shootout in Canada
How to lead a team
Plan, prepare, and succeed
‘The Eagle has landed’
SAE Detroit Section helps teams prep for Formula SAE season
SAE 101: Organically developed member groups considered for new organization model
DOSSIER: Mario Gutierrez of Robby Gordon Motorsports
Tips for navigating through the entry-level position
New SAE technical paper competition launches
Momentum - February 2019 - Momentum - February 2019
Momentum - February 2019 - Cover2
Momentum - February 2019 - Contents
Momentum - February 2019 - Go all in with your student membership
Momentum - February 2019 - Briefs
Momentum - February 2019 - Battling the elements
Momentum - February 2019 - 5
Momentum - February 2019 - 6
Momentum - February 2019 - 7
Momentum - February 2019 - ‘Hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck’
Momentum - February 2019 - 9
Momentum - February 2019 - 10
Momentum - February 2019 - Shootout in Canada
Momentum - February 2019 - How to lead a team
Momentum - February 2019 - 13
Momentum - February 2019 - Plan, prepare, and succeed
Momentum - February 2019 - ‘The Eagle has landed’
Momentum - February 2019 - SAE Detroit Section helps teams prep for Formula SAE season
Momentum - February 2019 - SAE 101: Organically developed member groups considered for new organization model
Momentum - February 2019 - DOSSIER: Mario Gutierrez of Robby Gordon Motorsports
Momentum - February 2019 - 19
Momentum - February 2019 - New SAE technical paper competition launches
Momentum - February 2019 - Cover3
Momentum - February 2019 - Cover4
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