Q. Describe your career path and the work you are currently doing.

I graduated from the University of Iowa with my electrical engineering degree in 2023. I started my career as a Test Engineer at Keystone EMC, where I gained hands-on experience testing substation control panels against industry standards. From there, I moved into the electric utility industry and now work in transmission substation design at ITC. I help design and modify substations that support the power grid, working across multiple engineering disciplines and supporting projects from early design through construction.

Q. How did the ECE Department prepare you for your career?

ECE gave me a strong technical foundation and, more importantly, taught me how to approach engineering problems. Professor Thompson’s ECE:5620 Electric Power Systems course was especially influential for me because it introduced me to the power systems field and helped set me on the path toward the work I do today.

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of your career since graduating from the program?

The most rewarding part has been seeing how much I’ve grown and watching the work come to life. Early on, a substation drawing could look overwhelming, but over time you begin to understand not only what everything is, but why it was designed that way. I especially enjoy getting into the field, seeing different types of substations, and watching something I worked on through drawings actually get built. There is always something new to learn, and that keeps the work interesting.

Q. What advice would you share with current or future ECE students?

My biggest advice is don’t expect to know everything when you graduate. You’re going to learn a lot on the job, so ask questions and find people you can learn from. Take advantage of labs, internships, field visits, and organizations like IEEE. Also, don’t overlook communication. Being able to explain a technical problem clearly and work with people across different disciplines is a huge part of engineering.