Coming from a family of mostly engineers and teachers, Chasen Gaither knew his path would be one or the other. Choosing engineering was an easy decision. 

“My parents and my grandfather were really influential in helping me choose my career path,” Chasen said. “I applied for electrical engineering, got in, and just decided to go for it. So, it's kind of by chance, but I'm happy with how things turned out.”

After meeting Nicole Tarasenko, a Crane Aerospace & Electronics recruiter, at the University of Washington, Bothell’s career fair, Chasen applied for the position of Electrical Engineer I. Following the application and interview process, he was offered the role. “This is my first job out of college, and it’s also my first engineering role ever.” 

“The learning curve was pretty steep,” Chasen admitted. “But I'm getting the hang of it. My technical knowledge has expanded like crazy. I gained a lot through exposure, just spending time in the lab with a smart and experienced technician. And I got paired with a great mentor.”

Even though Chasen found it overwhelming when he first started, he received a lot of guidance from those around him. “My manager and mentor told me to stick with the course and had faith that I would develop and come to understand the concepts they're talking about,” he said.

Chasen appreciates the learning opportunities at Crane A&E, especially the hands-on experience in the lab. “The ability to spend time in the lab and get hands-on with the hardware is really cool,” he said. “There aren't a lot of other companies out there that will have you develop as broad of a skill set or enable you to develop your skill set on so many different topics. I've gotten to work on hardware covering so many different aspects of electrical engineering and it's really helping me develop my career quickly.” 

Now, over a year since joining, Chasen has decided to attend grad school. Chasen credits the support of his team for his decision. “I actually didn’t anticipate doing grad school,” Chasen explained. “I considered it before I started working, but not heavily, and then my boss and mentor both really encouraged me to go to grad school. I didn’t really see it as part of my career growth until I started working here, but then I realized it would really push me forward. Plus, Crane offers a tuition reimbursement benefit that I'll be taking advantage of, which makes it even more feasible.” 

"It's really nice to have that small company feel in such a large organization. I feel like my time and contributions are valued."

— Chasen Gaither, Electrical Engineer I

The encouragement he’s received from his team and his family has inspired Chasen to consider a future in management, where he can mentor others. “Teaching is in my DNA,” Chasen said. At the same time, he remains enthusiastic about furthering his technical skills and “progressing to Electrical Engineer IV or V.” Fortunately, Crane A&E provides him the opportunity to pursue both paths. 

Outside of Crane A&E, Chasen dedicates his time to playing and teaching music, embodying the company’s values of giving back and continuously improving. In college, he was part of the University of Washington’s Husky Marching Band as a sousaphone player. Even after graduation, he remains involved. Last fall, he was able to spend one more season with the band, even though he wasn't enrolled at school. He went to the Pac-12 Championship, the Sugar Bowl, and the National Championship Game with the Huskies’ football team.

Chasen also instructs at the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band (ACB) and plays gigs with Soul Jambalaya Brass Band around the city. Through these efforts, he not only shares his passion for music but also fosters growth and collaboration within his community. 

“I’m really passionate about music,” Chasen said. “That's how I keep myself busy, which honestly really motivates me to keep pushing in my career, because if I keep excelling high enough, I will also be able to continue pursuing these hobbies that I really love.”

Chasen values the support his team provided, allowing him to continue his hobbies. “My team is really understanding of my schedule and time commitments. They’re really flexible, and I appreciate that.” 

“It's really nice to have that small company feel in such a large organization,” he said. “I feel like my time and contributions are valued.”  

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