Growing up, Jordan Ankney ’25 was fascinated by how things worked. He would take apart his Nerf guns just to see their inner workings, then use that knowledge to build something better. This curiosity, combined with his love for vehicles, led him to pursue a degree in motorsports at Purdue University Indianapolis (formerly known as IUPUI).
However, once he began his studies, he realized that his interests extended beyond just motorsports. He wanted a broader engineering foundation—one that would open more doors and offer the flexibility to follow his interests. That’s when he took a closer look at UIndy’s mechanical engineering program.
Ankney had considered UIndy during his initial college search, but at the time, the R.B. Annis School of Engineering didn’t offer a motorsports program. Later, as his goals evolved, UIndy checked all the right boxes.
“Ultimately, it came down to the class sizes,” Ankney explained. “They’re a lot smaller at UIndy than at IUPUI. You have more time with your professors. That’s not something I realized I wanted until I got here.”
“The transfer process was pretty smooth,” continued Ankney. “Ben Houston helped a lot. I’d reach out to him with a question, and within two hours, I’d get an email back.”
The change proved to be the right move. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all of Ankney’s freshman-year classes were online, leaving him feeling disconnected from both professors and peers. At UIndy, he found a sense of community—joining the newly reformed Racing RSO and developing strong mentorships with the School of Engineering faculty.
“My professors have done a lot more than just what’s required of them in the classroom, and they help us go beyond what’s expected of us,” Ankney said. “Our lab manager, James Emery, has been a huge help in making sure that what I’m doing with my projects and in the classroom actually works. You can write so many things on paper, but they may not work in the real world.”
One of Ankney’s favorite aspects of the mechanical engineering program is the DesignSpine curriculum. Starting in their sophomore year, students collaborate on real-world engineering projects, culminating in the annual DesignSpine Expo. At the 2023 Expo, Ankney and his team earned the Best Sophomore Project Award—an achievement that helped him secure two impressive internships.
In his junior year, Ankney interned with Citizens Energy Group, gaining experience in project management, underground engineering, and construction. The experience not only strengthened his leadership and project management skills but also introduced him to a new career path.
“I’ve always wondered what it’s like to work for a utility,” Ankney said. “I was curious about what goes on behind the scenes in that field, so that’s what drew me to the internship with Citizens Energy Group.”
Eager for more hands-on experience, Ankney pursued another internship after his professor shared a job posting from Kennedy Tank and Manufacturing. His combination of real-world experience and the practical knowledge gained through DesignSpine made his resume stand out immediately.
“Ultimately, I got the position at Kennedy because they were so impressed with how much shop experience I had,” Ankney said. “A lot of that comes from working in the lab with James Emery and the hands-on projects in DesignSpine.”
Ankney’s experience at Kennedy Tank and Manufacturing became his favorite internship yet, ultimately leading to a full-time job offer. Following his graduation this May, he will officially join the company as a mechanical engineer.
Reflecting on his journey, Ankney admits he never expected his path to lead him to UIndy—or to a full-time engineering role so soon. For students considering a similar change, he offers this advice:
“With transferring, the big thing for me was that I didn’t know if I’d be comfortable at a new school. My first semester, I really just went to class and hung out in my apartment. When I got more involved during my sophomore year, I gained a lot more friends. So get out of your comfort zone and grow your circle of people.”
