David Carries Lessons Learned in Solar Car Competition to Our Region

Meet Our Fellows Blog Series: David Yang

After six long days of driving from Fort Worth to Minneapolis under a hot, dry sun, the Plano Academy Solar Car Team–composed of fourteen high school students, including me–was shocked to learn we won our division. Our car had powered us nearly 230 miles along the way–less than a mile further than the second place team.

Three months earlier, we had no physical car. We merely had ourselves.

In those short-but-fast-paced months during the Summer of 2016, this small team of dedicated engineers and project managers, with support from community partners, achieved the–seemingly–impossible: we built a fully-functional solar car.

That summer before my senior year of high school, I learned the immense power that even a small team can have–and the impact mentors and sponsors can have on a project of any size.

A year later, I matriculated at the University of Michigan, where I studied economics and computer science. During those four years, I focused on microeconomics and its intersection with public policy and economic development.

Those topics may seem far removed from cross-country solar car treks, but the lesson held true: working with regional partners, large companies like Texas Instruments, and performing arts venues through my coursework and my role as the Operations Manager for the Men’s Glee Club, I was reminded of the importance of local stakeholders in shaping individual experiences–and, even more so, the magnitude of impact that organizations can have on the community.

David, center, at Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan following a Glee Club concert

These profound lessons shaped my career aspirations: I want to help empower local organizations to create positive change on an individual level–but, more broadly, in such a way that creates a more vibrant future for the entire community.

At enFocus, I get to do just that: over the next two years, I’ll be working with the City of South Bend to develop an upskilling program for existing residents, while also working to discover innovative tactics to attract more residents to the city.

Sure, I am far removed from those solar car days. But, I’m working with another small team–and I know that, together with the support of sponsors in the community, we can accomplish anything…just like my high school solar car team all those years ago.

I am excited to make my mark on the South Bend-Elkhart region I now call home.

Learn more about on newest enFocus Fellows weekly in our Meet Our Fellows Blog Series.