North Texas Talent: Vick Ballard - Senior Systems Engineer
(Photo by Christopher M. Hanoch, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics)
Vick Ballard’s original plan after graduating from high school was to get a scholarship to a four-year university and continue playing football. The four-year college path didn’t work out for him right away, so he decided to enroll in a community college for three semesters before transferring to Mississippi State to play college football. In 2012, Vick was drafted into the NFL and selected by the Indianapolis Colts. After tearing his ACL in 2013 and injuring his Achilles tendon in 2014, he became a free agent in 2015. He then signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2016 and was released from the team later that year.
“Most professional athletes never get the chance to walk away on their own terms,” Vick said. “I was cut for the last time in Spring 2016, yet I kept training in hopes of getting a call from another team. I gave myself until the start of that upcoming season to chase the dream. When no call came, I began looking ahead.”
Long before earning his degrees in engineering, Vick had always been interested in the trades and hands-on work. In high school, he decided to enroll in a welding class to learn more about what his father did on a day-to-day basis. Although he never viewed welding as a future profession, he cherished the opportunity to master the manual techniques his father utilized daily while exploring his own passion for building and fabrication.
“I first considered engineering in high school, but sports dominated my attention,” Vick said. “While in college, the coursework resonated with me on an intuitive level, and I often felt I already knew the concepts before they were taught. That natural affinity signaled that engineering might be my true calling.”
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida. Now, Vick is working full-time at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and climbing the ladder fast. Starting as an aeronautical engineer with an emphasis in stress analysis, he recently accepted a senior systems engineer position. As a stress analyst, he supported production by analyzing non-conformances in aircraft airframes: scratches, elongated holes, gaps and similar defects that could affect the structural integrity.
“Engineering reinforces analytical thinking and attention to detail, which are both essential for sound financial management,” Vick said. “The discipline you apply to design and analysis translates well to budgeting, investing, and long-term planning.”
Where to Work
Cook Children's Health Care System
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Six Flags Over Texas
Texas Dept. of Transportation
Read more about engineering salaries, career and technical education opportunities and how engineers impact the world here.
WHERE TO LEARN
Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Farmers Branch
Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus, Lancaster
Dallas College Eastfield Campus, Mesquite
Dallas College El Centro Campus, Dallas
Dallas College Mountain View Campus, Dallas
Dallas College North Lake Campus, Irving
Dallas College Richland Campus, Dallas
East Texas A&M University
Tarleton State University
Texas Woman's University
University of North Texas
UNT Health Fort Worth
Weatherford College
(Photo by Christopher M. Hanoch, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics)
