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People Profiles
Tyler Sabin
- Hometown: Renton, WA
- Major: Industrial Engineering - Vehicle Design specialization
- Previous College: Bellevue Community College
Why Western?
I knew I wanted to get into car design so I started researching engineering programs on the internet. Then, I attended a transfer fair at Bellevue Community College and saw a brochure at the Western table with a big car on the cover. I asked the admissions representative about it and he told me all about the hybrid vehicles, car design, and how different magazines ranked Western the best in the nation for auto design. I turned down a lot of schools including the University of Washington, Stanford’s School of Engineering, Harvard’s School of Engineering, and Cornell and I haven’t been disappointed in choosing Western.
Cutting-Edge Vehicle Design
My work study job in the Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) allows me to try to create the Automotive X Prize car for the VRI. (The prize will award a multimillion dollar purse to teams that can design, build, and demonstrate production-capable vehicles that achieve 100 MPG). It’s been very exciting to try to develop a 100 mile per gallon car and compete against teams from Cornell University and established auto makers. I’m also involved with the creation of a hybrid bus where we’re helping to design a bus that doesn’t cost as much to operate. It’s been really fun to talk with the people who own transit businesses, learn how they would like a more fuel efficient bus, and try to design a bus that helps keep mass transit costs down because a lot of the bus places are having a hard time keeping costs down in the face of rising fuel prices.
A Model Mentor
My favorite class was Power Mechanics with Professor Steve Fleishman. He has been a real mentor to me and is helping me develop my career. We talk about what projects I should work on to fill my portfolio and where I should go with my career. He is a model professor as he makes connections with students and makes a difference in their lives and careers. He has really interesting labs where we have first-hand experience taking apart engines and putting them back together. His ability to connect with students is just really awesome.
Making a Difference
I was asked by the director of the Katrina Leadership Project (KLP), Professor Malcolm Cash, to apply for the KLP. He met me at Bellevue Community College where he was a scholar in residence and he knew I really cared about volunteer work. I applied, interviewed for and was awarded one of only 25 national college staff positions. The KLP focuses much-needed attention on the current rebuilding efforts in the gulf region. Specifically, the KLP is dedicated to identifying and preparing 40 high school students to speak with the U.S. Congress, United Nations, and Wall Street about the work that remains in rebuilding. For two years, these students will go back to their communities and conduct community service projects.
Outside the Classroom
Most my free time is spent either helping with projects in the VRI or helping to spread awareness with the Katrina Leadership Project which has involved me visiting clubs on campus, giving out flyers in the dining hall, talking to businesses, and writing to state leaders such as Governor Gregoire and others.
Life after Western
After I graduate, I would like to design cars that are safer, more fuel efficient, and have lower emissions. My dream job would be to start up my own car company, but I'm equally open for working for an existing manufacturer. I also plan to continue volunteering for community organizations wherever I end up working. My vision for the future is renewable energy on an international level with affordable personal transportation. The auto industry will play a major role in this and I look forward to designing the green cars we have all been reading about.