Mechanical engineering undergrad named to petroleum collegiate council

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Tyler Adams, an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering at Penn State, has been appointed to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Petroleum Division Collegiate Council.

One of 26 students selected nationwide, Adams said his main objective will be to promote further awareness of the petroleum industry, its impacts on society and the career paths it offers. 

The council was established in 2003 to involve students in the future planning of the petroleum division of ASME and to provide a pathway for students to directly benefit from the professional organization’s network of members. While at Penn State, Adams will use his leadership position with ASME to inspire others by organizing and promoting workshops, fellowship experiences and professional development experiences.

“Petroleum is an incredible industry to be involved with,” he said. “It’s not just in transportation fuels, it is ubiquitous in our daily lives.”

Sometimes referred to as crude oil, petroleum is even used to manufacture products used to protect against the coronavirus, including hand sanitizer and face masks. According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, virtually all of the components of an N95 mask are created with petroleum products. 

“It is very important to society at the current moment, and, in order to properly obtain and refine petroleum, mechanical engineers will be needed to help build, test and maintain pumps, drills and other machinery,” Adams said. “Thus, mechanical engineers are vital to the field and are needed en masse.”

Adams plans to seek a career in petroleum engineering after his graduation in 2022, and he explained that he expects his membership in both the Penn State chapter and national organization of ASME to be critical to his future. 

“Through ASME, I have made many important, lasting connections that will aid me in my academic and professional career,” he said.