I’m Seth Busche, an aerospace engineering student who believes that family and dreams are priceless. My journey has been anything but linear, and each twist has shaped who I am today.

I started my engineering path at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs as a mechanical engineering student. In the middle of my sophomore year, I married my high school sweetheart, and together we made the difficult decision to leave UCCS, and the full-ride scholarships I had earned, to move to Florida. The goal was clear: to be closer to family and pursue my lifelong dream of aerospace engineering.

The transition wasn’t easy. Even with the scholarships Florida Institute of Technology offered, navigating student loans was a challenge, and I realized a gap year to support my family was the responsible choice. During that year, I worked two jobs—assistant training director at Chick-fil-A and a certified swim instructor—learning responsibility, time management, and the value of hard work in ways no classroom ever could.

Returning to FIT, I faced the challenge of a more rigorous curriculum and professors whose knowledge intimidated me, but it only pushed me to ask more questions and understand everything deeply. That first semester, balancing school, work as a barista (a new job that was felxible for a school schedule), and family life, I earned all A’s. It was the first time I felt truly captivated by my classes, and it fueled my determination to excel.

Throughout the years, I faced the constant balancing act of student, worker, and husband. Despite the exhaustion, I applied to internships, participated in projects, and maintained a perfect GPA. My efforts were recognized when my senior design professor recommended me for the Outstanding Student of the Year award in Aerospace Engineering, which I am so grateful to receive in April 2026.

Professionally, I was offered a position at Northrop Grumman on the structures team. While the role is contingent on program funding, it reflects the culmination of years of hard work and persistence. Right now, I’m actively seeking opportunities where I can contribute immediately, continue learning, and provide for my family.

This journey hasn’t been without personal challenges. Recently, my wife was in a serious car accident, and I stepped away from school entirely to care for her. It’s been emotionally taxing, but we’ve faced it together, and the end of this semester feels like a celebration of resilience, sacrifice, and shared dreams.

Through it all, I’ve learned that perseverance, curiosity, and the willingness to tackle life’s unexpected challenges define an engineer just as much as technical skill. My story is one of hard work, unwavering motivation, and the belief that with family and determination, no obstacle is too great.