AN INTIMATE LOOK AT THE BUSY LIFE OF A 23 YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT
Jacob Spencer isn’t your average Math undergrad, finishing up his last semester at St. Edward’s University his passion goes far beyond science and mathematics. On top of his full course load Spencer has worked for automotive shops, oil manufacturing companies, and has composed music for his own band. This may seem like a lot to take on for a 23 year-old undergraduate student, but Spencer enjoys spending countless hours tenderly nurturing each of his passions. “Music and cars are my passion and math is what grounds me,” Spencer said.
At the moment Spencer is working on releasing an EP with his band Follow Through, with Spencer (right) on guitar and his roommate JR Torres (left) on drums. “We started making music for fun around the house and it kind of turned into an obsession. Jacob does most of the editing and uploading, and I mainly help out with the beats and filling in missing sounds,” Torres says. Spencer spent years teaching himself how to play guitar by watching videos online and looking up chords to his favorite songs. He is inspired by metal artists that his mother introduced to him growing up, but enjoys creating more low-fi sounds. “I spend a lot of my free time messing around on garage band and creating riffs based off of some of my favorite artists. Playing guitar and making music is very meditative for me and helps me relieve a lot of stress from school and work,” Spencer said. Spending anywhere from 6 to 12 hours a week making music Spencer hopes that after graduation he can dedicate more of his time developing his skills as a musician.
On top of music and math, Spencer has always enjoyed automobiles. Working in an automotive shop at the age of 16, he enjoys being around mechanics and appreciates the intricacies of car design. When Spencer isn’t working on homework or making music, he is going to car shows and drawing car designs in his sketchbook. “My grandpa and neighbors introduced me to cars when I was growing up, and living in Houston I would see a lot of really unique automobiles that kind of kept the flame burning. I love going to car shows and whenever I’m feeling extra stressed out and need an escape I get in the car and drive out of the city. It’s very soothing to get away, and sometimes I really need that change of scenery,” Spencer said. He is also an avid collector of Hot Wheels diecast model cars, with hundreds on display in his Austin home and even more at his grandparents house in Houston.
After working for automotive shops for four years, Spencer moved in to manufacturing with a company called Megas. Liam Khuen, a friend and employer at Megas says, “Jacob is a dear friend and a hard worker, when I learned he was looking for a job I introduced him to Megas right away.” Spencer works part-time making parts for the oil manufacturing company, he uses his skills as a mathematician to aid in the engineering process and spends a lot of time crafting the products for sale. “The work is pretty labor intensive but I never get bored and really enjoy my co-workers,” Spencer says.
Spencer grew up in Katy, Texas and moved to Austin for school in 2015. His hardworking personality and seemingly endless energy levels contribute to his success with all of his hobbies. Spencer prefers staying home and working on his passion, but maintains an avid social life with his outgoing personality. Edward Brown, a close friend of Spencer’s says, “Jacob has been a good friend of mine for a few years now, he’s the sweetest guy I know and not at all afraid to speak his mind. He’s a big goofball and he gets along with everyone he meets.” Although Spencer is a very busy person, he maintains his friendships by meeting around campus for study sessions and having jam sessions at his house. Juggling so much can seem intimidating for some, but Spencer has come up with his own unique ways to cope with all of his responsibilities and passions.