Max Schellhammer is a double major in engineering and music from Ashburn, Va., whose college experience has been shaped by both technical curiosity and creative passion. Though Wake Forest was not the first school he visited, it quickly stood apart from the rest.
“Not only did I get to view the beautiful campus right after coming out of the dreary COVID-19 days, but professors from both of my majors greeted me personally and gave me tours of their respective buildings,” Schellhammer said. “No other school showed me nearly as much of an intimate look at the school, and it blew me away.”
That initial visit left a lasting impression. What began as a moment of personal connection grew into relationships with faculty and mentors that remained central to Schellhammer’s experience throughout his time at Wake Forest.
Schellhammer’s decision to study engineering came from a desire to apply his long-standing interest in the natural sciences in a more tangible way. While he had always enjoyed subjects like physics and chemistry, he was looking for something more directly connected to real-world problem solving. Engineering offered exactly that. At the same time, he chose to continue pursuing music, a passion he developed in high school and was not ready to leave behind.
His interest in engineering was also influenced early on by his father’s career as a manager in an IT consulting firm.
“He’s a mastermind of his craft, with the unique ability to unite teams of all ages, nationalities and skillsets,” Schellhammer said.
That combination of technical expertise and human connection became something Schellhammer hoped to emulate and something he found reflected in Wake Forest’s approach to engineering education.
“Unlike traditional engineering education, which places students in hundred-student classes and crushes them with technical tests, human-focused engineering emphasizes teamwork, communication, accountability and confidence,” Schellhammer explained.
Over time, that environment helped him grow not only as a student but as a person.
“Engineering has provided me with a confidence I never had before, not only in my technical abilities, but also in how I communicate with others,” he said.
While he felt a strong sense of belonging in Wake Forest’s engineering program, he noticed that its distinct approach is sometimes misunderstood outside the university.
“Many at first impression treat it as a ‘pre-engineering’ program, which (they say) doesn’t constitute ‘real engineering,’” Schellhammer said.
But his experience, particularly during his internship as a project engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding, told a different story.
“I can say firsthand from my internship experience in Virginia that all of the other skills Wake Forest teaches, including jack-of-all-trades technical knowledge and communication skills, made me stand out against students from Virginia Tech, UVA, VCU and the University of Richmond,” Schellhammer said.
One of the most defining parts of his academic journey at Wake Forest was his year-long capstone project. Schellhammer worked with a team to design and fabricate a 1/10-scale steel bridge, gaining hands-on experience at every stage of the process. His team even entered the American Institute of Steel Construction’s 2026 Student Steel Bridge Competition.
Outside the classroom, Schellhammer pursued research in photogrammetry, creating 3D models from photographs. Under the mentorship of Dr. Tricia Clayton, he explored projects across campus and presented his work at conferences.
“Dr. Clayton helped nurture my skills throughout my four years here by planting ideas about where to be curious,” Schellhammer said.
Through these experiences, he developed a broader perspective on what success in his field looks like.
“The most significant thing I’ve learned in my major is the importance of networking – not in the traditional sense with business, but in getting to really know your peers and professors.”
After his graduation, Schellhammer will work as an Overhead Transmission Engineer with the Kiewit Corporation in Raleigh, N.C. He also plans to join a wind band in the Raleigh area to continue performing music with others.
