ANGOLA, Ind.—A former Trine women's soccer player has big plans to pursue a career in the aerospace industry.

Jaime McCarrell, a four-year starter for the Thunder women's soccer team, has earned a research assistantship position at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. The school will fund McCarrell's education while she pursues a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (M.S.M.E.). McCarrell has several options of research work she can choose to pursue, one of which involves working with de-icing systems on the wings of aircraft, which prevent the buildup of ice in high-altitude flight.

The research assistantship won't be McCarrell's first foray into the aerospace industry. Last summer, she served as an intern in the X-Ray Optics lab at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

The primary function of McCarrell's summer work at the NASA facility was to work as part of the team assembling mirrors for the organization's next X-ray telescope. McCarrell's duties included helping to assemble equipment, working with machines, and even some programming.

McCarrell's post-graduate work will follow four years of success in the classroom and on the soccer pitch at Trine University. She has earned recognition on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll every year she has been eligible for consideration. To receive conference honor roll recognition, a student-athlete must earn a varsity letter and achieve at least a 3.50 GPA.

The chance to pursue a mechanical engineering degree while playing collegiate soccer was what initially drew McCarrell to Trine University.

"When I first came to campus, I really like the campus and attitude," McCarrell said. "I really liked [head] coach Terry [Stefankiewicz]. I really liked the small class sizes. All the professors know you and are willing to help."

McCarrell says she always had an interest in the aerospace industry, which she was able to incorporate into her pursuit of a degree at Trine when she decided to minor in aeronautical engineering along with her mechanical engineering major.

McCarrell cited thermodynamics and fluids class with Brett Batson, Ph.D. as particularly challenging. The difficult classwork was something McCarrell said allowed her to grow and learn to seek help when needed.

"My experience made me realize sometimes you need help, but if you put in the work you can succeed," McCarrell said. "Sometimes, you need the extra effort and help from your professor, your friends and your teammates."

McCarrell met the rigorous challenges of the mechanical engineering program and earned recognition on Trine University's president's list multiple times. To be included, a student must be registered for a minimum of 15 credit hours and earn at least a 3.75 GPA.

McCarrell was able to carry her success in the classroom onto the soccer pitch. She wrapped up her playing career with All-MIAA Second Team honors in 2015.

Over the past four years, McCarrell started every match in which she played. She played nearly every position on the field and served as a team captain for two years.

"In all my years of coaching, Jaime sticks out as one of the best," said Terry Stefankiewicz, head coach of the Trine women's soccer team. "She's as hard-working and intelligent as anyone I've ever been around. In her four years here, she played every position but goalie without a single complaint. She always put the team ahead of herself and is a top-class kid in every way."

McCarrell scored five goals, including two game-winners, and picked up three assists in her career. Her final goal as a member of the Thunder was a game-winner in the second half of a 2-1 victory over Adrian on Senior Day, a moment McCarrell calls the favorite of her playing career at Trine.

When reflecting on her education and soccer career at Trine, McCarrell is thankful for the support she has received.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without the support from my family, coaches and all the girls on the team," McCarrell said. "My parents came to almost every game I ever played and have been there every step of the way. A lot of people have been here for me along the way."

Upon completing the M.S.M.E. program at Baylor University, McCarrell plans to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. She hopes to one day work for NASA or Space-X, a private U.S. aerospace company that designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.