Mechanical engineering graduate student Matthew Doude grew up tinkering with cars. With a fascination for what makes things work, Doude often took toys and other objects apart and put them back together.
He showed early signs of being a future engineer.
So, when it came to choosing a university, the McCool native selected an engineering program at Mississippi State. In Doude's undergraduate days, he joined MSU's Challenge X team, which placed first in the competition sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy among 17 U.S. and Canadian universities to develop a consumer friendly SUV with improved fuel economy and lower emissions.
Accolades awarded to MSU's Challenge X team led to Doude and other members gaining exposure to industry insiders and job opportunities. As Doude completes graduate school, he will lead MSU into the next competition, EcoCar. With his acquired knowledge and networking through his MSU experience, Doude's future looks bright.
"So far, all of our Challenge X team members who graduated had their choice of jobs," Doude said. "My resume is available upon request."