Fueling innovation at the intersection of business strategy and off-road speed
Lucas Young, a first-year concurrent MBA student and aerospace engineering major, takes his leadership and technical skills beyond the classroom as a member of the Iowa State University Baja team. His curiosity about how things work led him to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. Eager to gain hands-on experience as a freshman, he joined Baja, a student team within the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Student Chapter.
The Baja team designs, builds, and tests a single-seat, off-road race car. Each year, the team competes nationally, where its car is evaluated for performance, design, sales presentation, and cost report. While Young’s primary focus is on design and manufacturing, he has found that the skills he’s developing in the concurrent MBA program apply directly to his work on the team.
Not long after beginning his engineering studies, Young realized he wanted to move into a management role within the aerospace industry. During his time at Ingersoll Rand as a design engineering intern, he received advice from his manager and began researching MBA programs and company tuition-reimbursement options.
Unsure of when to pursue an MBA, he spoke with a fellow Baja member enrolled in the concurrent MBA program. After hearing firsthand about the program’s benefits, he attended Done in a Day, an event hosted by the Ivy College of Business graduate programs office. The event features information sessions and an alumni panel that give prospective students a preview of the MBA experience.
Learning about the courses and extracurricular opportunities available through the concurrent MBA program solidified Young’s decision to apply. Now in his first semester, he enjoys the program’s interactive course format and team-based collaboration. “The class framework requires teamwork and a new skillset,” Young said. “I have been taught how to think as a manager with the organization in mind, rather than just the project I am working on.”
“He took on a leadership role with our MBA Internal Case Competition leadership team and has been fantastic! He is driven and creative, and it has been exciting to watch him grow as a leader.”
— Sarah Wilson, director of Professional Masters Student Services
One of Young’s most memorable experiences with Baja was competing in the Baja Carolina National Competition last October. Over four days, the team completed a full technical inspection, delivered an engineering design presentation, and participated in dynamic events and a four-hour endurance race. The Iowa State Baja team placed 11th overall — the highest finish Iowa State has earned in several years. This achievement was particularly meaningful for Young, who serves as the team’s body and ergonomics lead. He designs the car’s wrap, body panels, seat, and steering wheel. Contributing to such a large portion of the car’s design has helped him strengthen his skills in computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing.
Young also applies lessons from his MBA courses to his Baja leadership role. The program has helped him build leadership and communication skills that he uses to connect with new members and delegate tasks effectively. “I’ve learned how to guide new team members and help them integrate into Baja successfully,” he said. “The MBA coursework has also helped me develop presentation skills that are invaluable during our competition’s design presentation stage.”
Director of Professional Masters Student Services, Sarah Wilson, highlighted Young’s leadership and why he stands out as an MBA student. “Lucas was eager to get involved as a leader in the MBA program, which stems from his great leadership skills he’s been developing through his undergraduate club, SAE Baja Racing Team. He took on a leadership role with our MBA Internal Case Competition leadership team and has been fantastic! He is driven and creative, and it has been exciting to watch him grow as a leader.”
“The class framework requires teamwork and a new skillset. I have been taught how to think as a manager with the organization in mind, rather than just the project I am working on.”
— Lucas Young
For students considering a hands-on team experience, Young encourages them to get involved. “Baja allows you to apply engineering principles outside of class and see every stage of development — from design to manufacturing to testing,” he said. He also advises students to think about their long-term career goals when considering the concurrent MBA. “The program has given me professional skills that will help me advance in my future career,” he said.
Wilson expanded on Young’s advice. “The concurrent MBA is designed to create a unique, multidisciplinary skillset in future leaders. We know that our concurrent students are excelling in their technical skill development, and the MBA program is a perfect complement to those skills. The MBA program enhances a student’s leadership skills, while also developing their ability to think critically, to navigate complex problems, and to collaborate with teams.”
Connect with Lucas Young on LinkedIn to follow his collegiate and professional career.
