RIT student finds surprising fit with Electric Vehicle Team

Janet Hackman, a third-year economics and environmental sustainability, health and safety major from Rockville, Md., is the team manager of the RIT Electric Vehicle Team, a collegiate electric motorcycle racing team founded in 2012.

How did you discover the Electric Vehicle Team?

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Janet Hackman

Hackman, second from right, poses with members of the Electric Vehicle Team and RIT President David Munson during the Imagine RIT Creativity and Innovation Festival.

During my freshman year, I attended a club fair, where all the performance teams were showcased. It was clear that these teams are a big part of the RIT experience. I initially considered a few options related to my studies in business and economics, but nothing really stood out. Then my roommate mentioned she was going to the Electric Vehicle Team’s meeting and invited me to tag along. I thought, Why not?

Before attending, I did some research and learned it was the first year the team was forming an operations subteam. Since I have a background in business, I thought it would be a great fit. I joined as the first operations team member, which was a unique experience. I worked closely with the team manager, got involved quickly, and found the work rewarding. That’s what kept me coming back.

What is your day-to-day role with the team?

My role has changed over the years. When I first joined, I focused on managing communications, reaching out to potential sponsors, maintaining relationships with existing sponsors, and handling budgeting. When I became team manager, I had a lot to learn, especially as a non-engineer and one of the youngest members to hold the position. My team has been incredibly supportive, and while I don’t need to know the technical details, they were always happy to explain.

Now, as team manager for the second year, my role has expanded to overseeing the entire team. Day to day, I spend time checking in with members during meetings, not just about the work but also to get to know them personally. Those original responsibilities remain, but as the operations team has grown, we’ve improved our processes. For example, we now send out a monthly newsletter and have a much better response rate from sponsors thanks to changes we implemented, which is wonderful.

What’s funny is that I’m not a car person! At public events, people often tell me about their car modifications, and I just smile and nod—it’s all new to me. It’s been an amazing learning experience.

How do you fit into what is traditionally a male-dominated scene?

It’s definitely a challenge. RIT itself has a predominantly male student population, and engineering and coding-focused fields tend to be male as well. When I joined the team, my roommate and I were two of only a handful of women. But things are improving, and this year we’ve seen the most women join the team, which is amazing. Seeing five women sitting together at a meeting table now makes me so happy, knowing how far we’ve come. One moment that stood out was during an intro meeting my first year as team manager. A new operations team member later told me it was daunting for her to join the team but was inspired when she saw me in the front of the room with five guys, overseeing the team. Knowing that my presence made her feel more comfortable and confident makes all the challenges worthwhile.

Another unforgettable moment happened after my first year as team manager. I met an older woman in engineering who faced significant adversity in her career because of her gender. When I introduced myself and told her about my role, she was so moved that she teared up, saying how much it meant to see a woman leading in such a male-dominated space. Moments like that remind me why representation is so important—and why I’m proud to be part of this team.

How has your experience with the Electric Vehicle Team influenced your career goals?

It’s opened new possibilities for me. I never envisioned myself in engineering management, but this experience has shown me that it’s a viable path—and a significant industry. It’s also boosted my confidence in taking on leadership roles. Without this experience, I think I’d second-guess myself more. My first year as team manager was full of learning opportunities—plenty of mistakes, but also growth. Now, in my second year, I feel more prepared and capable, and I’ve learned how to handle pressure and adapt, which I know will translate to a professional environment.

Being on the team has also piqued my interest for electric vehicles and alternative energy, and how that connects to sustainability. In class discussions about topics like lithium-ion batteries, I can confidently contribute because of what I’ve learned on the team. It’s rewarding to see how my hands-on experience complements my academic studies.

Do you have any advice for other students just starting out at RIT?

Be curious and open to trying new things. Some of the best decisions I’ve made—choosing RIT, joining the Electric Vehicle Team, and sticking with it—started with a simple “what if?” Those choices have shaped my career goals and shown me what I’m capable of. Leading a team while managing my coursework has taught me how to handle pressure, adapt to mistakes, and navigate burnout. Burnout can be an isolating experience; it's easy to be convinced that it’s only you, but it’s not singular. It’s taken a lot of practice to realize that, and I’m still nowhere close to perfect with handling it.

That said, don’t overthink everything. Nothing is that serious—if you try a club or activity and it’s not for you, that’s okay. College is about exploring, making mistakes, and figuring out what works for you. Don’t feel pressured to have it all figured out or to stick with people or opportunities that don’t fit. Find those opportunities and take those chances, knowing that some of them will fail, but the ones that don't are probably going to be the best opportunities of your college experience.