Meet Megan, Electrical Engineering Student at the University of North Dakota
How did you first become interested in STEM? What inspired you to study Electrical Engineering?
When I was a kid, I didn’t know anything about engineering! I had no family that was in engineering and always thought I would go into healthcare, like my mom, since I had a love for helping people.
Then I had a job in high school where I got to work with a gentleman who used a wheelchair. He expressed to me how disappointed he was in the innovation around his wheelchair, and it opened my eyes to the need for constantly evolving technology. I went home as a sophomore in high school and googled different jobs that help with this innovation, and electrical engineering is what piqued my interest the most. Now I know that there are so many other ways to help people apart from direct patient care.
What are some really neat things that Electrical Engineers work on?
Some Electrical Engineers build computerized prosthetics, some design the lights and sirens in fire trucks or drones, some work to change the usage of energy from oil to solar and wind, some get to place components on little circuit boards that go into things like pacemakers or big ones that go into computers!
Can you tell us about a time when you failed and how you learned from it?
In my courses there are many times when I have thought I had created and designed a flawless circuit or test only for it to fall flat in the implementation of it. The biggest lesson I have learned from these failures is to use them as learning experiences to grow my knowledge and strive to find creative solutions! No one learns without messing up.
What is a typical day like for you as an Electrical Engineering student?
I found my optimal focus time was between 9 am and 3 pm. This means I try to get to campus during these times and use this peak focus to get things done. Right now, I only have 1-2 classes per day so between classes is when I study, work in the lab, eat, and collaborate with my friends and classmates. Some of this time is quiet and completely focused on the task at hand, and other days I get to wander around different areas working on homework and finishing up labs.
Right now, I am working on building a “BattleBot.” This is a small robot with a weapon on it that my partner and I are going to control in a competition against other robots. The last robot standing wins!
What do you like most about the University of North Dakota’s Electrical Engineering Program?
The thing I love most about the engineering program at the University of North Dakota is the flexibility. We have a very established distance engineering program meaning that many of my peers can tune into class from across the world and get the same education I am getting on-campus. Some of them are working in the industry, have families, and they still have the ability to get a quality education. This helps so much in the diversity of my classes, too.
How can people from diverse backgrounds, including women, contribute positively to the Electrical Engineering field?
Diversity in experience, ethnicity, and education creates diversity in solutions. Differing upbringings allow for people to come together and problem solve in different ways. Others can come up with solutions you would never think of because of the differing way their mind works compared to yours. Women tend to lean toward compassion, thoughtfulness and relationship building. It is amazing how well these characteristics can tie into engineering solutions when we, as women, acknowledge them as strengths in the workforce and not weaknesses.
What advice can you share for our readers who are interested in going to school for Electrical Engineering?
I would say try and find a current student or faculty to speak with. They provide great insight into the campus, community, and various involvement opportunities to see if it’s the best fit for you. The campus is a unique size, with about 11,000 undergraduate students, which provides a sense of community unlike that from larger universities. I would also recommend looking into the town and what it has to offer to see if it will be a good fit. Some people like the small-town feel, others wouldn’t be able to live without a Chipotle. It’s all up to your taste and what you feel is important.
Meet Evelyn, Electrical Engineering Student at Vanderbilt University
What did you know about Electrical Engineering when you were a kid? Can you tell us how you first became interested in Electrical Engineering?
As a child, I did not have a lot of exposure to engineers. I remember thinking engineers were similar to architects. I had no idea how many different opportunities exist in engineering!
My favorite game growing up was LEGO. Looking back, I think my experience with LEGO is what sparked my interest in STEM. During high school, I competed in Underwater Robotics and that is what led me to pursue Electrical Engineering.
Can you tell us about women engineers who have inspired you throughout your studies?
Many women inspire me in electrical engineering; here are a few really cool things that Electrical Engineers have achieved:
- Margaret Hamilton: developed the onboard flight software for NASA’s Apollo Program. This is the program that landed the first humans on the moon in 1969!
- Christina Koch: electrical engineer who broke the record for the longest single spaceflight!
- Mary Barra: General Motors first woman CEO! She is the first woman CEO to lead any large automaker AND she is an electrical engineer!
We commonly encounter all sorts of challenges, especially while pursuing our education in Engineering. Can you share how you have overcome any challenges you have encountered in your studies?
I overcome challenges in Electrical Engineering by staying organized and determined. Even when it is difficult, I make sure I remember the things I love most about Electrical Engineering and what inspired me to pursue Electrical Engineering.
How might women and people from culturally diverse backgrounds bring positive contributions to Electrical Engineering?
Cultural diversity and gender inclusivity is vital for Electrical Engineering and all disciplines of engineering; when people with different cultural backgrounds and perspectives come together to solve a problem, a better, more inclusive solution is achieved!
Can you describe a “day in your life” studying Biomedical Engineering and share what you like most about your program at Vanderbilt University?
Here is a day in my life as an electrical engineering student:
8am-9am: I eat a healthy breakfast because I have an exciting and busy day ahead!
9am-11am: I attend a general physics lab where I use hands-on experience to learn physics concepts that I can use in my later studies as an electrical engineer.
11am-2pm: I eat lunch with my friends and attend study-group with my classmates. I also use spare time to keep organized and get ahead on homework.
2pm-4pm: I attend multivariable calculus recitation and lecture; this is my favorite class!
4pm-6pm: I eat dinner with my dorm mates and relax! I like to go on walks around campus when I have down-time.
6pm-9pm: I study and complete homework. I typically have a lab report that I need to edit from my morning physics lab. Once I am all finished, I review my schedule for tomorrow and make sure I have everything I need packed in my backpack! Then I go to bed.
I always start my classes at 9 am and finish by 4 pm. Some days I study general physics, and other days I study general chemistry. Every day I study multivariable calculus. I have wonderful professors and truly enjoy my coursework! I will receive new coursework after winter break for the new semester.
What do you like most about Vanderbilt and its Electrical Engineering program?
My favorite thing about studying at Vanderbilt University is its amazing location. Nashville, TN is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, so there are many opportunities for electrical engineers! Also, my engineering professors are wonderful and love what they do, so it makes learning feel very fun and natural.
Can you share any advice for our readers who might be considering going to school for Electrical Engineering?
My advice for girls considering electrical engineering is to first find one aspect of engineering that inspires you. For me, that is robotics and machine learning! Whenever I feel discouraged or bored in my electrical engineering studies, I try to relate all my new knowledge back to my original passions, robotics and 3D modelling. By doing this, I realize how far I have come since I started my studies, and I feel greater motivation to continue! Even if you do not want to pursue engineering, there are plenty of alternative opportunities in STEM. I believe in all of you, and I know you will do great things in STEM!
