Carlos Fernandez
UH Senior - Cullen College of Engineering

For Carlos Fernandez, reaching the point of his college graduation this December has been a rewarding journey. In only a few short years, he went from being a shy freshman struggling with English to an articulate Chevron intern. Along the way, Carlos has served as president of the Society of Mexican American Engineers (MAES) – UH chapter, worked as a Pre-college coordinator of two major outreach programs for the UH Cullen College of Engineering, and even spent time interning at NASA. In 2006, he was also named Senior of the Year by the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES) at the University of Houston.

Yet, with all his accomplishments, Carlos maintains a humility that impresses perhaps even more than the titles he has held. Once held back in high school due to the severe language barrier he encountered after moving from Mexico, Carlos credits those around him for placing him on the path to success. “I’m not here because of me. You need motivation and people that believe in you,” he said. “If it weren’t for those people, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.”

Also an active member of the engineering honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu, Carlos has always been unafraid of spreading himself too thin. Although being involved in so many different groups proved to be time consuming, he firmly believes that his participation helped him to become a better student. For example, he claims that his study groups consisted of students who constantly challenged each other, and his time as a teaching assistant in the PROMES workshops gave him to better understanding of engineering concepts.

So what comes next for Carlos? After his walk across stage to receive his B.S. in electrical engineering, he can rest well knowing that his internship with Chevron has now become a full-time job with the company. With a bright future ahead, Carlos is confident in his abilities and plans to give back to the local community, as well as the various organizations of which he has been a part.

“After all they have given, there is no way that I can just turn my back on them,” he said. “They’ve been very helpful, not only to me, but to many other students as well.”