Resume | connorsparling

Engineering is not about getting the product right the first time, it is about constantly improving, innovating and replacing to make everything the best it can possibly be. It is something that has interested me since I was a toddler, always building things and curious about the way things work. From Duplo to Meccano to Lego Mindstorms to FIRST Robotics, my love of mechanical design and manufacturing has grown. For as long as I can remember, Engineering was a clear choice for me to pursue due to my interest in 3D design, problem solving, programming, physics and robotics.

Professional Info

I am a first year engineering student at Queen's University interested in pursuing mechanical or computer engineering specializing in mechatronics. I pride myself on being very involved in my community, especially in promoting STEM to youth. I have been involved with mentoring FLL robotics for four years, helping to found a new team in my grade 11 year and stepping in as head coach the next year. As captain of the 70+ students on my school’s FIRST Robotics team I spent hundreds of hours coordinating the team’s activities and events, running team meetings, as well as leading the technical aspects of the team. I also had the opportunity to make presentations to numerous engineering companies such as HATCH, MDA Robotics and Hydroform, as well as be interviewed on several different TV programs, including Toronto Global TV's The Morning Show and Calgary's Breakfast Television.

Work Experience

Summer Student, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, Brampton, ON

July – August 2015

Assisted with the design and modeling of an electronic retrofit for a robotic arm to be used for medical surgeries. Reverse engineered the robotic arm using Solidworks, and 3D printed all components to determine fit, form and function of electronic boards

Researched components and programming languages for several ongoing projects, working in collaboration with multiple designers and project managers to meet tight deadlines

Provided support for testing and demonstration of new robots being developed by the company

Takeout Staff, Swiss Chalet Restaurant, Oakville, ON

September 2014 - present

Worked in a team of five to accurately receive and pack orders for takeout and drive thru customers

Landscaper, Self Employed, Oakville ON

2013 - Present

Provided year-round neighborhood lawn cutting, leaf removal, and snow shoveling services to several homes

Robotics Instructor, Town of Oakville Summer Camps, Oakville, ON

Summer 2014

Taught Lego Robotics and Mindstorms EV3 programming to children aged 8–12, ensuring a safe and fun environment for all students

Assisted with the design of age-appropriate curriculum to encourage a love of science, technology, engineering and math

Guide Trainee, Wilderness Tours, Beachburg, ON

Summer 2014

Safety kayaker for commercial whitewater rafting trips on the Ottawa River, providing rescue services for guests that needed assistance in Class II-IV rapids

Helped with rafting trip setup and cleanup, and client lunch prep and service

Student Assistant, Javelin Technologies, Oakville, ON

2012 - 2013

Assisted in 3D printing lab. Washed 3D printed parts and moulds

Achievements

Recieved FIRST Robotics Dean’s List Finalist Award (2014), presented to outstanding students in recognition of leadership, passion, dedication, and technical abilities

Received Grade 11 Technological Design Award (2014) for highest achievement

Received Oakville Trafalgar High School (OTHS) Leader of the Pack Award (2014) and Personal Achievement Award (2013)

Represented OTHS at the Ontario Student Leadership Conference (2012)

Have traveled to 20+ countries and lived in five different countries

Skills

Advanced knowledge of SolidWorks and MS Office programs

Basic knowledge of Java, C++, MATLAB, and Robot C programming languages

Basic knowledge of Unigraphics NX and Solid Edge

Education

Bachelor of Science, Engineering 2015 – Present

Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Class of 2019

High School Diploma 2011 - 2015

Oakville Trafalgar High School, Oakville, ON Class of 2015

Volunteer Experience

FIRST Lego League (FLL) Robotics

September 2011 - December 2014

Head student mentor for 3 different FLL teams, overseeing groups of 10-20 Grade 5-8 students. Ensured students stayed on task to complete a series of challenges under extreme time constraints.

Taught participants Mindstorms NXT and EV3 hardware and software, assisting them to meet project targets to compete in regional competitions.

Multiple Single Day Volunteer Events

September 2013 - Present

Multiple Sclerosis Walk (2013, 2014); Oakville Midnight Madness (2012, 2013); Multiple Elementary School Spring Fairs (2012, 2013, 2014); Robots Rule Weekend (2012, 2013); Professional Engineers of Ontario Events (2013, 2014, 2015); Santa Claus Parade (2011, 2012); FIRST Community Event 2011 (2012, 2013, 2014); Halton Children’s Water Festival (2013); Oakville Fire Fighter’s Fire Prevention Week (2013); Oxfam Trailwalker (2012)

Extraccuricular Activities

Queen’s Formula Society for Automotive Engineers (SAE) Team

2015 - Present

Member of the Formula SAE team which designs and builds an open wheeled, Formula-style race car that is used to compete internationally.

Designed and 3D modeled the car’s rear wing mount, and modeled several other car parts using Solidworks.

Assisted with the manufacturing and electrical wiring of the 2016 competition vehicle

FIRST Robotics Competition

2011 - 2015

Dedicated member of OTHS FIRST Robotics Team, a high school robotics competition where teams have 6 weeks to design, build and program a robot to compete in regional and international competitions

Played many leadership roles over four years on the team, including Head of Electrical Subteam (2012/13), Team Captain (2013/14), and Captain’s Advisor and Lead Robot Designer (2013/14, 2014/15). In 2013 robot was ranked in top 25 in the world.