Alumni

Alumnus Offers Strategies for Success

Dave Lucio
B.A., Computer Systems Engineering
Class of 2005

Job Title:
Program Manager

Company:
The Boeing Company

Computer systems engineering alumnus Dave Lucio, class of 2005, has some advice for current SCI undergraduates. “In searching for any opportunity, keep an open mind and be confident that you can do the job well,” Lucio said. “Many students applying for internships, jobs or graduate schools underestimate themselves. With a degree in engineering, your knowledge can be applied anywhere to anything.”

Students would be wise to heed Lucio’s recommendation. His two years out of college have been productive and dynamic. Lucio is currently working as a procurement agent at The Boeing Company, the world’s leading aerospace company. He is also pursuing his MBA through the University of Phoenix.

“It makes me proud to see the product of our team efforts go into flight and successfully contribute to military missions day after day,” Lucio said. “Employees at Boeing have the opportunity to speak to the pilots of these aircraft and get some feedback on performance and safety out in the field.” Lucio has yet to fly in a military aircraft, but he did have the opportunity to be a passenger in a McDonnell Douglas 900, a six-passenger civilian helicopter, that flew him and other Boeing employees over Canyon Lake. He remembers the experience as “awesome and unforgettable.”

“My favorite part of working at Boeing is having the opportunity to work with so many talented people on a daily basis,” Lucio said. “Knowing that I’ve contributed to the success of my team and our products motivates me.” Right now, he is managing various aspects of Boeing’s supply chain. Ultimately, Lucio is interested in designing passenger cabin space for commercial aircraft.

Lucio grew up in Morenci, Ariz., a copper mining town located in the eastern part of the state. His high school experiences conducting engineering science labs and research projects in local mines helped him decide that engineering was the field for him. Lucio’s coursework at ASU convinced him that he’d made the right decision. “I enjoyed the hands on experience in many of my courses, especially my senior design class. I had the chance to work with several talented people at Motorola,” Lucio said. “I also really enjoyed my VHIS Hardware Description Language course with Professor Chatha. He made the work challenging but fun.”

As a student, Lucio became active with the engineering organizations on campus. “My involvement in extracurricular activities helped me improve my communication skills and my networking skills,” Lucio said. “I’ve learned so much from my colleagues, professors and fellow students.” He was chapter president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and also volunteered with CEDAR, the Center for Engineering Diversity and Retention. It is these experiences, in addition to his classroom successes, that have boosted him in his postgraduate achievements.