{"id":9556,"date":"2025-11-26T14:53:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/?p=9556"},"modified":"2026-03-26T08:24:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T12:24:30","slug":"how-grit-teamwork-drive-michigan-bajas-off-road-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/academic\/how-grit-teamwork-drive-michigan-bajas-off-road-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"How grit and teamwork drive\u00a0Michigan Baja\u2019s off-road excellence\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many engineering students, it\u2019s difficult to get a true grasp on what it\u2019s like to face unbounded, dynamic challenges until they enter industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s working within evolving automotive regulations or designing components to withstand the extreme conditions of outer space, the demands of industry require not just technical skills but grit, flexibility and the ability to collaborate within (and across) teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But for the dedicated students competing in Baja SAE, navigating these challenges is just a day-in-the-life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students can now register for the FREE Expedite \u2013 Skills for Competitions microcredential<\/a> from Siemens. Earn key skills needed to enter your first competition with confidence, learn how to translate your experiences into compelling resume highlights and demonstrate your readiness to enter the workforce.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baja SAE, a Collegiate Design Series competition sanctioned by the Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE International), challenges students to design, build and race small off-road cars through rugged terrain and unforgiving conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teams compete in a variety of events including an endurance race, maneuverability course, sled pull, hill climb and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Michigan Baja competing at South Carolina, where the team won second place.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This intense, hands-on battle against the elements and engineering constraints prepares students for the rigor required in professional engineering in a way few other experiences can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siemens’ Global Academic and Future Workforce Program recently had the opportunity to speak with Pierce Bednas, a mechanical engineering student and team captain of the University of Michigan’s Baja SAE team.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of Michigan Baja SAE placed second overall in the Mike Schmidt Memorial Iron Team Award (the national title for Baja SAE) in 2025 and has won nine out of the last 12 awards. In a recent interview, Pierce shared key insights on the value of this competition for engineers preparing for their careers and the secrets behind Michigan Baja\u2019s success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A high-pressure, high-reward environment for developing key engineering skills<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pierce’s journey with the team is a testament to the growth and learning fostered by such programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like many of his teammates, Pierce joined as a freshman three years ago, eager to get involved in a hands-on engineering team. “I loved it pretty much from the instant I joined,” Pierce recalled. <\/p>\n\n\n

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