Mechanical Engineering
- Hometown: Yorba Linda, California
Biography
My name is Aidan Holihan, and I’m a mechanical engineering student in the 2026 Heath
Integrated Business and Engineering Cohort. I’m originally from Yorba Linda, California, in the Southern California region. On weekends, I enjoy watching football, supporting both the Volunteers and my hometown team, the Los Angeles Rams. I also find pleasure in playing video games, spending time with friends, and seizing every opportunity to visit the beach.
During my freshman year, I worked as an undergraduate research assistant for the Fluids and Structures Lab on campus. Additionally, I have taken on the role of a Teaching Assistant for the EF 151 classes this year. These experiences reflect my passion for acquiring new knowledge and my fulfillment in assisting others with what I've learned. I firmly believe that the constant pursuit of learning and helping others are essential traits for achieving success. Furthermore, I consider hard work and perseverance as equally vital qualities, qualities I honed while balancing academics, volleyball, extracurricular activities, and part-time work in high school. These qualities, combined with a stroke of good fortune, have propelled me towards my current successes and will continue to drive me toward future achievements.
From a young age, I've had a keen interest in the business world, initially aspiring to follow in my mother's footsteps as an accountant. In high school, I was an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America organization, competing against fellow California students in various business competitions. However, in my junior year, I discovered a newfound passion for AP Chemistry, which continued into my senior year with AP Calculus. Consequently, I made the decision to pursue a career as an engineer with a strong interest in business. The Heath Integrated Business and Engineering program offers the perfect platform to merge my engineering skills with my business acumen.
Upon graduation, my goal is to embark on a career as a mechanical design engineer in either the aviation or commercial automotive industry. In the aviation sector, I aspire to work on Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, driven by their potential to revolutionize short-distance transportation. Alternatively, I am equally enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the logistics and transportation industry by designing clean-energy-powered commercial vehicles at one of the major OEMs. Ultimately, I intend to pursue an MBA and thereafter consider the path of becoming a Director of Engineering or launching my own engineering firm specializing in products aimed at decarbonizing the logistics and transportation sector.
