When I joined my university’s rocket club at UC San Diego, I thought it would be a fun way to apply what I was going to learn in class. What I didn’t realize was how transformative that experience would be. Leading our team taught me not only how to design, build, and launch rockets, but also how to manage projects, work across disciplines, and solve problems under real pressure. Those lessons proved invaluable, as they directly led to me landing seven internships during my undergraduate years at companies ranging from startups to major aerospace players.

Hands-on experience like this is often the difference between being “qualified on paper” and standing out in the competitive world of aerospace. Employers want to see what you’ve actually built, tested, and learned outside of the classroom. That’s exactly why I created the College Rocket Showcase. This platform gives student teams a place to highlight their projects, share their data, and tell their story. By showcasing your work here, you’re not only celebrating your achievements, you’re opening doors for future opportunities, just like I did.

Pictured on the far right is Nico Montoya, founder of College Rocket Showcase, with his Triton Rocket Club team from UC San Diego in 2016.