Jeffrey Hughes `02
B.S. Electrical Engineering
M.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh
Electronics Engineer Digital Systems, Northrop Grumman
"I can think of a couple influences that helped solidify my decision to continue my education during my senior year at Penn State. One was the faculty. Starting my sophomore year, I was able to take more classes in the EE program and found myself impressed with the wealth and diversity of knowledge each of the professors was able to share with the class. I believe Penn State Behrend operates a good candidate-selection process for filling or expanding faculty positions. The flexibility of graduate school classes has also opened further opportunities for me to explore some of the more diverse and current topics.
I was further influenced by my supervisor and mentor at General Electric Transportation Systems. During my junior year, I obtained a summer internship through the Penn State career development center. My internship ended up spanning three summers. Working alongside professional engineers not only stimulated my academic growth but also made me realize that to succeed outside of school, networking and a strong marketing sense are necessary in order to stay competitive.
I feel that I made the right choice. Though some classmates were gaining income and experience while I was still attending school, I have not only furthered my academic progress but also expanded my network of professional and personal relationships, which is always a good source of help when taking on new challenges."