Originally from Hangzhou, China, Letian Ying moved to the United States as an exchange student in 2016 and attended Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Being in Wisconsin for more than six years, the thing that surprised him most about the state is something that would make most Wisconsinites proud: “the importance of having good cheese.”

While in China, Ying enjoyed racing remote controlled cars, participating in multiple contests before moving to the United States. “My passion for remote controlled car racing ignited my interest in electro-mechanical systems, ultimately shaping my decision to pursue a career as a mechanical engineer,” said Ying.

Ying applied his race car passion to larger machines as the motor engineer intern in Outdoor Power Equipment at Milwaukee Tool. Here he worked on a variety of projects, including product teardowns, computer-aided designs and field testing. “These activities not only drove forward the projects within the motor team, but also fostered insightful discussions among team members.”

One of his favorite projects he worked on at his internship was an experiment on a product featuring enhanced software that instructed the tool to pause operation just before an impending thermal shutdown to protect the device. “From the initial setup of the data acquisition equipment to the actual gathering of data, culminating in the subsequent data analysis, we were able to confidently affirm the functionality of the software.”

MSOE’s mechanical engineering courses and practical lab experiences helped Ying “swiftly comprehend new concepts and continually enhance engineering projects.”

The Multicultural Affairs Office provided Ying assistance as he navigated his internship journey. “The Multicultural Affairs Office has enriched my internship journey by providing avenues to refine my professional communication, engage in cross-organizational cooperation and foster open-mindedness,” said Ying. “I am truly content with the progress of my summer internship and deeply appreciative of MSOE for affording me the chances to cultivate and ready myself for the realm of professional work.”

Outside of his internship, Ying is a leader across campus. He is the International Student Association president where he helps international students navigate college life. He also was elected as president of MSOE’s Wisconsin Delta Chapter of Tau Beta Pi, which recognizes students who display outstanding character and excel academically. Additionally, Ying participates on MSOE’s esports team where he competes in collegiate Valorant tournaments.