College Experiences That Helped a Senior Engineer in Operations Coordination at Northeast Power Coordinating Council Succeed
Ryan's career path highlights the value of exploring uncharted territory; the decision to take a "power system engineering lab class," outside of their initial focus on software or microelectronics, unexpectedly ignited a passion that shaped their career trajectory into a Senior Engineer position. This experience underscores the importance of embracing new opportunities, even if "outside of your bubble," to discover unforeseen career paths.
Career Exploration, Overcoming Challenges, Practical, Actionable Tips, Real-World Examples
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ryan McSherry
Senior Engineer, Operations Coordination
Northeast Power Coordinating Council, Inc.
University of Texas Austin (2009)
University of Texas Austin (Power Systems Engineering)
Engineering - Electrical
Energy & Utilities
Operations and Project Management
Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Explore diverse areas within your field: Ryan initially pursued software or microelectronics engineering but discovered his passion for power systems engineering through an elective course. This highlights the benefit of exploring different specializations within a broader field.
2. Embrace the unfamiliar: Stepping outside his comfort zone and taking a course outside his main area of study led Ryan to find his career passion. This emphasizes the importance of being open to new experiences and challenges.
3. Don't be afraid to try something new: Ryan's experience demonstrates that career paths can be unexpectedly shaped by trying new things. Students shouldn't hesitate to explore different classes, internships, or projects to discover their interests and strengths.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
As I might have mentioned before, it wasn't until my last semester, senior year in my undergraduate program, where I decided to try something a little different. I chose something I was unfamiliar with, something outside of my technical area.
Originally, I thought I wanted to be a software engineer or a microelectronics engineer. In my course survey, I saw a power system engineering lab class that was offered. This class was applicable to my technical area, so I decided to take it.
That's where I found my passion. As far as setting myself up for success in my career, I'd say don't be afraid to try something new, something that might be outside your bubble.