David Svoboda is engineering a career at home and abroad

Back in 2013, David Svoboda built his first 3D printer during a STEM summer camp at Central Piedmont. His photo was even featured in the camp’s marketing materials the following year. 

Fast forward more than a decade, and David is an engineering student at the college. And he is still passionate about 3D printing work. In fact, it has now even taken him abroad. 

“My passion for 3D printing basically started here,” said the Charlotte native.

He’s come full circle, but his interest in engineering began in his youth as he played with Legos and experimented with circuits and electronic boards. He was also involved with robotics in elementary and middle school, participated in vocational activities like SkillsUSA and became well-rounded through Future Business Leaders of America.

He comes by his interests honestly. His mom earned a Ph.D. in robotics engineering, and his dad works in business with a technical focus.

David graduated from high school in 2022, but after the COVID era, he found himself burned out.

“I had a passion for learning, personal development and tinkering with things,” he said. “But I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m ready for school. I kind of just want to figure some things out first.’” 

He worked at an automotive shop for a year, where he saw how engineers communicate with technicians to troubleshoot problems. He then decided to follow an engineering path.

“I like tinkering on the side, but I love to apply the thinking,” he said. “So, I gravitated more from a vocational, technical aspect to a passion for the theory and things behind it.”

He chose to start his college career at Central Piedmont to build a foundation before transferring to a four-year institution after he graduates in December 2026.

“I think the biggest benefit of being here is the class size and closeness to instructors,” he said of his Central Piedmont experience. “By the end, you’re in a class with eight or 12 people and the instructor.”

David feels learning is easier when he is comfortable. Those types of close relationships provided him the opportunity to undertake a six-month research internship at ENSAM-ParisTech in France, facilitated by Dr. Hisham A. Abdel-Aal, chair of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Central Piedmont. ENSAM is one of the world's top technical institutions with more than 70 partnerships around the globe. It was founded on a principal like Central Piedmont’s — linking theoretical knowledge to hands-on skill. David completed two interviews before being chosen for the program.

At the French institution, located in the town of Châlons-en-Champagne in the eastern part of the country, David stayed in the dorms on campus. He was also sponsored by ENSAM as he participated in several European scientific and industrial research symposiums and conferences, even spontaneously co-leading a segment on 3D printing at one event to assist a colleague presenting remotely.

During his time overseas, David earned praise from faculty and industry colleagues for his technical abilities and potential. Several encouraged him to continue building his research and scientific expertise as a foundation for a successful engineering career.

“I learned a whole lot about the research process, but I also got a lot of industry experience,” he said. 

David, who has dual American and Czech citizenship, is considering returning to Europe to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a college in the Netherlands. He is not sure yet what path he will pursue. He is passionate about mechanical engineering and has considered working in the automotive or motorsports industries, which could also lead to work in manufacturing or design. But with a mind for business, he is thinking about an industrial engineering track as well.

He notes the importance of learning a little bit about a variety of concepts and disciplines, something he has taken advantage of at Central Piedmont. He encourages other engineering students to do the same.

“It’s helped me not only make connections with folks, but the younger you get started with branching out and networking and connecting with people in different disciplines, the more opportunities you'll have in the future and the more impressive you look,” he said.

David, a welcoming and outgoing presence, is passionate about not just engineering but authentic connections. He works as a TA in the Fab Lab at Central Piedmont to further his own knowledge and help other students succeed as well. He has also built a community of like-minded people in the lab and across the college.

“It’s truly fun to have potentially lifelong connections,” he said. “I feel like these people will be in my life for as long as possible.”

Since building his first 3D printer at Central Piedmont, so too has the college remained a constant in his life.