Electrical and Computer Engineering has immense potential for shaping the world we live in. Today, we’d like to showcase some inspiring perspectives from our remarkable students enrolled in our program. Meet three of this year’s top scholars: Miguel Mancias, Tevin Poudrier, and Timothy Lamb.
For these three undergrads, the inspiration to pursue a degree in electrical and computer engineering sprouted from an innate curiosity to explore the surrounding world. With a drive for innovation, Miguel, Tevin, and Timothy expressed their interest in engineering based on their passions for a diverse range of topics like computers, robotics, renewable energy, and even legos. Take Tevin for instance, tinkering with Arduino helped spark his interest in creativity within electronics, while Miguel, an advocate for a greener future, was propelled by his desire to explore the possibility of contributing better energy sources.
Miguel, Tevin, and Timothy have all embarked on extraordinary journeys, blending their coursework with practical experiences to shape their futures. All have designed circuits, noting it as a great introduction to getting hands-on experience in engineering, and applying technical skills to creativity. Miguel mentions how he gained invaluable experience during his internship as a layout designer at Micron, expanding his knowledge of device physics and engineering workplace operations. In addition, Tevin’s role as an electrical design engineer at New Product Development allowed him to showcase his technical skills through diverse projects, ranging from circuit design to software development. Some of the interesting products he worked on included a lit-up arrow nock, reverse engineering night vision goggles, and an automatic peanut hopper. Tevin mentions that this amazing opportunity made him feel closer to his goal of joining the field of embedded systems.
Together, it is experiences such as these that equip aspiring engineers with crucial skills in teamwork, professionalism, and problem-solving. Their stories exemplify the power of combining hands-on experience with academia to truly elevate a successful career in electrical engineering.
With so many exciting courses in the ECE major, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Here are a few takes from our students!
To Timothy, ECE 180 (Intro to ECE) was his top pick. He loved this course’s informative format, finding it extremely helpful to be introduced to important student resources such as advising, graduation requirements, and various student opportunities. In addition, this class featured many professional engineer guest speakers who shared their inspiring career journeys, getting students excited about the world of electrical engineering… it even fueled Timothy’s interest in pursuing a future in the semiconductor industry.
Miguel’s favorite course, ECE 300 (Electromagnetic and Wave Theory), may be challenging, but highly rewarding. He was captivated by how the class highlights how four equations underpin much of our current technology. Similarly, Tevin found ECE 310 (Microelectronic Circuits) to be his favorite course because it featured one of his favorite professors, Brian Higgins. This interactive class allowed students to use their creative and technical skills to design microphone and speaker circuits, making learning a fun, hands-on experience.
Embracing advice from your peers is an invaluable resource that can greatly contribute to your success. For prospective and new undergraduates to our department, we highly encourage you to have a genuine passion for what you decide to study.
“Be prepared to work hard, persevere, and make sure that Computer or Electrical Engineering is something that you would truly like to pursue. You’re going to spend a lot of time doing it”
Timothy Lamb
Miguel’s advice emphasizes the importance of mastering the basics, as knowledge in electrical and computer engineering builds upon a solid foundation. Dedicating time and effort to understanding the fundamental concepts becomes essential for future success. On the more sociable side of academics, Tevin finds it extremely helpful to meet your classmates. Forming study groups makes learning so much more enjoyable, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. By working together, you can tackle challenges, share insights, and make the most out of your educational journey.