Gilman Scholarship recipient and FSU engineering student Lucas Deininger in London in 2023. (Courtesy Deininger)
Undergraduate Student Spotlight
Florida State University and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering student Lucas Deininger recently returned from a summer abroad experience in England. The internship experience was part of the Florida State University Benjamin Gilman Scholarship he recently received.
When he was applying to college, Lucas Deininger had his pick of many prominent universities around the country. For him, FSU was always his first choice. It wasn’t just the STEM academics he enjoyed at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, the incredible sports atmosphere, or the campus where his friends were going, but something even more personal.
“Those things are all important, but I liked the idea of FSU being a tribal university,” Deininger explained. “My family has deep roots with the Native Americans, and I connected well because I am part Mohawk Indian on my dad’s side. As a member of the class of 2024, my student life experiences have far exceeded my expectations.”
Deininger recently shared some stories about his summer experience and beyond.
“I am truly honored to represent FSU and the U.S. State Department as a Gilman International Scholarship recipient,” Deininger said. “I have worked very hard to get to this point and awards like this open the door to opportunities that otherwise I wouldn’t have.”
The U.S. Department of State awards the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to allow students to study or intern in foreign countries with the aim of building proficiency in diverse languages and cultures to prepare individuals for a globalized world.
In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, Deininger was chosen as a 2023-24 Lockheed Martin STEM Scholar recipient and recently received a scholarship from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He is studying industrial and manufacturing engineering and is in his fifth year in the program.
Why the United Kingdom?
London is a melting pot of diversity, and the FSU London Study Centre allowed me to participate in both an internship and the study abroad program classes. I had no connection other than a common language, and I adjusted quickly to their dialect.
How was the experience?
The FSU London Study Centre is in heart of London. There is always a lot of hustle and bustle around, and many historic sites to see. In the morning, I would have a short commute by bus to my internship office. Work the day, join fellow study abroad friends for scheduled evening activities or enjoy a group dinner. On weekends, we took bus trips to visit different parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland and Wales.
My London internship was with Penta Group, a private global consulting firm that operates in 11 locations worldwide. I was specifically assigned to a Data Intelligence team as an analyst on the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) project. The Penta group, “combines proprietary AI and advanced research products with deep business, policy and communications expertise to better define, predict, and manage stakeholder challenges.”
Most memorable moment in engineering so far?
The friendships I made throughout my classes and the group projects I’ve done. Engineering is tough and I’ve had my friends support me along the way and push through long, tedious nights with them.
What are you working on back at FSU?
We are currently applying for our senior-year design projects. My choices include a Tallahassee hospital, the Department of Defense and several Fortune 500 companies.
Most valuable thing learned or experienced at college?
You need to network to help achieve your goals. “Teamwork does make the dream work,” and you can learn a lot from others. You also need a balance of studies, work and extracurricular activities. It’s important not to get too stressed and to take time for yourself.
What are your plans after graduation?
I would like to have two avenues. I plan to apply for graduate school and will also be applying for jobs and internships. Closer to graduation, I will determine if I get into a good program or a good job opportunity.
What does five years in the future look like?
On a professional level, in five years, I see myself climbing up the ladder in a good company. I would love to travel to more places around the world.
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