My co-op experience has allowed me to break away from going through the motions of school, which become monotonous without having real-world problems to apply the concepts to. I have been able to tie many of the classes I take during my off semester to my work term, making learning new concepts much more fun. In addition, I have enjoyed working with embedded systems, allowing me to learn different aspects of a system outside of Computer Science and the software field. I am thankful for the Wohlford Scholarship for helping lighten the financial burden, which has helped me focus more on balancing both my work and school rotations.

The co-op experience has really opened my eyes to the world beyond academics. I have been able to find an environment of continual learning and work alongside my project management team to accomplish our goals. Whether those goals be to win multi-million-dollar projects, or small tenant work, we give each job our all and do our best to satisfy the customer's needs. Even though HVAC and Plumbing is far outside the scope of what I learn through Industrial Engineering, I have found that I enjoy it very much and have discovered that project management fits my work style. Without the co-op program, I’m not sure if I would have ever found the role and I am so very glad that I did, and that construction project management is a path I look forward to continuing down post-graduation!

Through my co-op, I had the chance to work with different people in different roles, and I saw how our work intertwined and culminated in the launch of a medical device that saves lives. I gained exposure to new career paths that I didn't even know existed. I applied my classroom knowledge and saw the social impact of my work. I gained skills, professionalism, and confidence to forge and pursue my own career path. The opportunity to wear many hats and experience several diverse projects through the longer work term of a co-op has opened my eyes to new career goals that are in better alignment with my own values and passions, which has reinvigorated my resolve as I embark on my career post-graduation.

The most enjoyable part of working with TAS has been the satisfied feeling that comes from helping people to reach a point of understanding. Seeing a lightbulb go off in someone's head, or someone telling me that I've spared them from a lot of stress, are moments that stick with me for a time. It feels very rewarding that something as mundane as a tutoring session has a more pronounced impact on the people I work with.

Plans after graduation:

After graduation, I have a position lined up working on aircraft engines with GE Aviation. The job doesn't start for a few months, though, so I'm planning to spend some of the in-between time traveling, since I probably won't get a similar opportunity for a while.

I was blown away by the impact Georgia Tech has on academic research nationwide. Everyone here is doing something cool, and they are more than willing to share it with you. I truly felt like I was part of the institute.

Plans after graduation:

"I aim to strengthen the findings of my project and get my study published soon. I am also training to become a medical assistant as I plan to become a physician, hopefully attending medical school next fall."

My research experience at Tech gave me the opportunity to explore a niche interest of mine that I would have otherwise not encountered in my coursework. Conducting research was one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences during my time as an undergraduate student. I was able to contribute to a burgeoning field of research and grow immensely as both an individual and an academic professional.

Plans after graduation:

"After graduating, I will be working at High Moon Studios as an Associate Narrative Designer. Given that the work I did during my research is similar in nature to the work associated with the position, I am confident that I will be able to leverage the knowledge I gained to succeed in my new role. I plan on returning to school sometime in the near future to complete my graduate education."