of Tech, but a completely new experience as I have not conducted research before. Besides that, I am excited for senior design in the fall. Hopefully, the stars will align and I will graduate in May 2015 as a HELLUVA ENGINEER!
would go by. You’ve really got to seize opportunities early, especially for things like study abroad programs. I always assumed there would be time next semester or next summer, but I let a lot of really great things pass me by with that way of thinking.
Michael Jasper, ME 14
Hope Brown, ChE 14 (December)
What thing surprised you the most about your final year? Georgia Tech
You’re getting close to graduating; is the end in sight? I’m excited to fi-
helped me form a more sophisticated view of civic ser vice. A lot of high school students (myself included) think of community service as picking up trash or working at the soup kitchen. That’s a good start, but Tech students and alumni have to be leaders in service. That means taking the next step and using our problem-solving skills to develop more sustainable solutions.
nally get out this December, but I’m definitely a little scared of the real world. I plan to intern this summer and finish up the chemical engineering curriculum this fall. And while I’m hoping to strengthen my relationships with my bosses and my teachers, I am really looking forward to a relaxing fall semester. If all goes according to plan, I will be only taking seven credit hours, which should leave time for my job search.
Have any of your career goals changed since you were a freshman? I think
I’m in the minority of Tech students in that the major I wrote on my freshman application is ultimately the degree I graduated with. However, to be fair, mechanical engineering is a very broad field and I’ve come to prefer some subjects to others.
You say you need a break; has this past year been difficult? It’s been a chal-
lenge to stay positive throughout all the struggles that being a student at Tech brings. But I have definitely grown because of these struggles and I’m happy that I’m still on track.
“Tech students and alumni have to be leaders in service. That means taking the next step and using our problem-solving skills to develop more sustainable solutions.” Is there any advice you’d give to incoming freshman? I’m happy that
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned? It’s amazing how
I “got out” of Tech, but I wish I had known how quickly the last four years
much coffee I can drink and how little sleep I actually need!
Ronnie Foreman, AE 14 (December) Did you have a good year? My se-
nior year has absolutely been the best yet. Over the summer, I had the privilege of working with Dr. Joseph Saleh in the aerospace department on some fascinating research, for which I was recently awarded the College of Engineering Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher in Aerospace Award. I grew tremendously as a student by working with him, and I can now confidently say that my plans will involve graduate school. I still want to be an astronaut. And to be honest, after 21 years, I doubt that that will ever change—it’s pretty much Mars or bust. But we heard this past winter was even better. Right! In early Decem-
ber I took off for a different research trip to Antarctica. From studying penguin hydrodynamics to camping out on the ice, it was the most amazing adventure I’ve ever been on. President G.P. “Bud” Peterson even sent me with a Georgia Tech flag to fly down there in the deep-DEEP south. He was incredibly encouraging of my research project, and it was such a privilege to take our colors with me. What do you have left before you graduate this coming winter? I’ll be
interning for SpaceX this summer, and I cannot wait to head out to Los Angeles. It’s such a privilege to be working with them and I’m eager to get started. After that, I’m heading back to Tech for a victory lap before I graduate in December. Tech has given me the most phenomenal opportunities, and I can’t wait to see where my experiences take me next. Wherever that is, I’ll be taking my white and old gold with me! GTALUMNIMAG.COM VOLUME 90 NO.2 2014
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