Oliver Lolus: What Drives His Passion?

Oliver Lolus is an incredibly driven person. His fervor for aerospace engineering matches that of his coworkers.

As a Test Systems Engineering intern at Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach, Florida, Lolus gains invaluable real-world experience to combine with the knowledge that he has gained in the classroom. Though Lolus has only recently begun his internship, he has already taken on responsibilities including assisting in the design of hydraulic fluid lines for an engine test stand and improving and redesigning key engine test components.

"Not only have I been exposed to the overview of testing an engine, but I've been involved throughout the process," Lolus stated. "Seeing how different groups integrate their work and also me being involved to varying degrees along the way really helped me to better understand that process as a whole."

Lolus is working toward both his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering at the University of Florida. In his free time, Lolus continues to pursue his passion for engineering, as he works on classic cars. Most recently he and his father restored a 1969 Camaro Z28. Now he is looking to restore a classic motorcycle.

Before joining Pratt & Whitney, Lolus was certain that he had wanted to intern with a company that would challenge him. But, he was unsure as to which company might do so in an interesting and engaging manner. When Lolus spoke with a Pratt & Whitney representative at a career fair, however, he knew immediately that he wanted to develop his skillset within the company.

"The industry is fascinating and I have always wanted to be a part of it in some capacity," Lolus remarked. "I have always been fascinated by engines: trains, cars and planes; to name a few. To be honest I chose to intern at Pratt & Whitney not only to bolster my engineering skills but because the company is just plain cool."

His opinion remains steadfast, especially since he is able to admire the fruits of his labor when passing the engine test stands during his daily commute.

With the many tools and opportunities available to him at Pratt & Whitney, Lolus is developing a foundation of technical knowledge upon which he wishes to build a career in engineering management.