Mr. Dani Shaffren (‘04), who also happens to be the assistant coach to TABC’s JV Varsity Hockey team, spoke to TABC’s 12th-grade advanced engineering students and a group of 11th-grade physics students about his engineering career. Mr. Shaffren discussed his journey, starting at YU and then transferring to City College for a degree and master’s in mechanical engineering. Following graduation, he worked in Detroit, Michigan on research and development for the US Army, specializing in ground vehicle survivability. Mr. Shaffren explained the physics and chemistry behind rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and how his team designed layered armor to absorb impacts and block shrapnel. Currently, he continues to work on armor systems to defeat rockets and guided missiles. TABC students asked about his research, scholarships and the daily life of an engineer. For students considering a future in engineering, this talk provided an illuminating look at the pathways available to them.