Double Major and Still Time For Fun

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is ranked as one of the best engineering schools in the nation. With that high standard to keep up, any one focus of engineering is sure to be hard-work and require dedication. Brian Keyser takes his hard-work one step further by double majoring within the College of Engineering.
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Keyser is a senior from Fairhope, Ala. and as a freshman enrolled to major in both mechanical and electrical engineering.

“When I was in high school I was really interested in both and I couldn’t really decide between the two,” said Keyser. “In talking with my uncle he said, ‘why not spend a lot of time in college and just do both?’ I could kind of see the benefits of both of them from a prankster point of view so I thought it might be kind of cool.”

As a freshman engineering student, Keyser looked for opportunities to get involved in different activities.

One way he got involved was by joining Formula SAE Racing. Formula SAE is a design series that allows college students an opportunity to design, build, and race a formula-style racecar against other college students from more than 500 colleges and universities worldwide. Each team must build a new car every year from the ground up.

“I do get to work on the formula team,” said Keyser. “We built an autocross racing car (shown right), which is really neat. It’s great to see how the mechanical side of things can work with that, along with the electrical side. Using the things I’m learning in my electrical classes correspond to the mechanical systems that were designing and building for the car.”

Formula SAE visits pre-engineering courses to recruit people.

“They taught me how to use the machines, how to weld, how to put the wiring together and just let you run with it at that,” said Keyser.

Although Keyser seems to be busy enough with two majors, he is also well rounded in his extracurricular activities.

“I am really involved with the Wesley Foundation and I have been attending Campus Church,” said Keyser. “I also do the Cupola Engineering Ambassadors, which is a group that works as a liaison between the College of Engineering, students, alumni and high school students. I have also been playing in a band called Teacup and the Monster (shown left) and play intramural soccer, so that’s a lot of fun.”

Upon graduation in May, Keyser wants to start looking towards being a high school teacher. If not, because of his interest in cars and the Formula team, he would also be interested in a career in the automotive industry.

Although he explains it to be a difficult few years in college, Keyser recommends it to anyone having trouble deciding between two majors.

“If you’re really interested in more than one type of engineering or more than one discipline as far as anything else in school, don’t be afraid to go for both of them,” said Keyser. “Find out what you’re really interested in, don’t focus on what’s going to get you the best job when you’re getting out or what’s going to set you up to make the most money. Really seek what you’re interested in and drive for that.”