I chose to enroll at Penn State Harrisburg based on what I had heard from other alumni prior to my undergraduate studies. Penn State Harrisburg was known as an engineering/stem-forward campus with a smaller student-faculty ratio, which means more opportunities to engage with professors. The campus is also conveniently located to several companies in industry. The most important impact of my degree has been the ability to learn quickly and translate complicated concepts within inter- and intra- team interactions. I find that making good connections with team members as a working engineer has grown from the experience of working in groups within the Electrical Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg. I would especially like to commend the Signal Integrity coursework offered at Penn State Harrisburg. It gives a great sample of industry tools and concepts while also opening doors to internships at many of the connector companies local to the region.
Brandon Wong '18,Signal Integrity Engineer,AMD, Inc
I chose Penn State Harrisburg for its Electrical Engineering program, especially the resources in the PPL Electric Lab. Working in the lab throughout my program gave me hands-on experience with automation controllers, SCADA systems, RTOS, and control and monitoring systems. This exposure helped me secure a role at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories as a Power Systems Automation Engineer. I advanced quickly and was promoted to engineering supervisor in under three years. I’m grateful to the Penn State Harrisburg faculty for their strong support and intentional mentorship. Beyond technical training, the program built my confidence through opportunities to guide other students and work closely with professors, shaping my growth as an engineer.
Dami T Ajayi '23,Project Engineer - Automation,Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
I chose Penn State Harrisburg because it was close to my home. I started my path to my degree at Penn State York as a 27-year-old, married student. After completing my associate's degree at Penn State York, transferring to Penn State Harrisburg allowed me to continue to live at home, as paying room and board on top of a mortgage was not an option for me.
My education at Penn State Harrisburg gave me a well-rounded set of skills to be successful in my career. With the availability of a full university education close to home, I gained not only technical engineering knowledge, but also gained the skills to think critically to solve problems, understand world events better, and communicate both in writing and through public speaking.
Penn State Harrisburg is unique in that you can receive the education of a world-class university while receiving one-on-one attention from the professors. Even twenty years after my graduation, I am still in contact with one of many professors that taught me in the program.
Brian Linton '01,Product Engineer,Phoenix Contact
I chose Penn State Harrisburg for my degree in electrical engineering because students are treated as an individual, not a number. Professors know students by name and are invested in their personal academic success. The education focuses more on the real-world applications of the fundamentals of electrical engineering and engages students to apply them on a daily basis. Because of this choice in higher education, I feel ahead of the curve with regard to my technical experience and know-how. Penn State Harrisburg's program has taught me to take risks, become a leader, and strive to engineer to the best of my abilities.
Nathan M Holland '21,Electrical Engineer,Naura Akrion
I was a non traditional student. I entered Penn State Harrisburg as a recently separated veteran that was looking for a good college without the hassle of large classes and a large campus. I was working, had an apartment and was already in the “real world” so I needed something that fit me. Penn State Harrisburg had a great program and a reasonable price within commuting distance from home and work. The staff respected the fact that I was in a different situation than traditional students and worked with me and my schedule. Although I am not currently working as an electrical engineer, the engineering experience was key to the job I currently have.
Jason Dorwart '07,Mechanical Engineer,Department of Defense
The electrical engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg provided a unique opportunity in its signal integrity lab that allowed me to set myself apart from my peers and gain skills that directly related to the functions of a signal integrity engineer. The lab's capabilities are on par with many of the leading edge labs in the industry, and they provide a strong advantage for students looking to go into high speed design.
Juan Martinez '16,Analog Design Engineer - Signal Integrity,AMD
I've always had an interest in electronics and knew from a young age that I wanted to be involved in engineering. I knew Penn State was the place for me based on the number of engineers the university places in the various work forces across the globe. I preferred the smaller class atmosphere of Penn State Harrisburg in lieu of the larger classes at University Park. Although my degree is in electrical engineering, I actually work among all mechanical engineers in my department. At first, I struggled to grasp all the knowledge and skills needed for my profession, but once I was able to understand the mechanical side, I actually excelled past the other mechanical engineers because I understood the electrical side of our business as well. This is an area typically handled by another department within our company. Once I was able to understand both aspects, I was able to grow within the company to my current position. Penn State Harrisburg taught me engineering fundamentals and problem solving and allowed me to grasp both aspects more easily than if I hadn't been exposed to this in college.
Michael P Campbell '06,Mechanical Systems Engineer,Knorr Brake Company, LLC
