Donald Smith
Hi, my name is Don Smith. I am originally from Kittanning, PA where I graduated from Elderton High 
School in 1985. I went to Penn State New Kensington for my first two years of college, and then I went into the US Army for four years before returning to Penn State Behrend to finish my last two years of college. I graduated from Behrend in 1993 with a BS in METBD.
I enjoyed my time at Behrend because it wasn’t so big that you didn’t know your professors. It is a small college with a big name. I had the opportunity to work close enough with my professors that after graduation, I was asked to teach thermodynamics lab class at nights. I spent two years teaching the lab course and working with my old professors.
In my current position, I spend my time designing and developing new processes for manufacturing aluminum wheels. I also program the robots and spinners that produce the wheels. I have used a lot of the hands-on engineering style, material properties, report writing, and 3-D modeling and drafting that I learned while attending Penn State. You will learn much more once you start working, but the knowledge and grades you obtain from Penn State will be significant in obtaining your first job.
I can’t say much about living on or off campus because I was married and had a child when I finished my last two years of college. I can say that focusing on your studies and completing homework should be your major focus during this time period. I am not saying, “don’t have fun”, just make sure priorities are correct. Life is long and having a good job will improve the rest of your life.
Don’t be afraid of moving in your first couple of years of working. Find out what kind of job “You” enjoy. That is the best thing about METBD, it offers multiple types of job opportunities.
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