Cumulative Reflection

At Iowa State University I had a great opportunity to learn and grow my skills to mold
me into a guy with a passion for problem solving, math, and science into an electrical engineer
with all the skills needed to be an engineer beyond the classroom. During freshman year this
was something I struggled to do as we were stuck in isolation from COVID, but I still found
ways to expand myself beyond basic math and science skills. One way I did this was through a
project based class I took where I got to use the skills, I had learned from my introductory
engineering courses and develop a cool power supply. I had to learn how to use on campus
resources like the electronics and technology group (ETG) where I was able to get basic
equipment for the project like diodes and alligator clips to make circuit connections. This project
was also my introduction to creating a bill of materials and a proposal to get funding for my idea.
After developing my design and receiving parts I built and tested my design using lab equipment.
The project included a hand crank generator to power it. I built the generator myself, but at the
time I had limited knowledge of different generator design. Because of this my design was not
powerful enough to provide an adequate source of power. Looking back on the project if I had
more time during this class, I would have created a second prototype where I modified the
generator design to match what I now know to be a good generator design. I believe this class
directly played a hand in me obtaining my first internship with a company called CCC where I
got to do a similar thing, but with printed circuit board design. I thoroughly enjoyed this project,
and it solidified my interest in power electronics which is a course I eventually ended up taking
in my senior year.
Through my sophomore year I began to develop more skills as restrictions from COVID
lifted. We got to do more group projects and I learned the value of relying on partners to
complete projects. I also began using the TLA a lot this year. Moving forward from this year I
practically lived in the TLA for schoolwork as the lab benches had all of the equipment I needed
for my classes. For labs in circuits in systems we sometimes had to spend several hours outside
lab time to complete projects. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and know that it benefited me
greatly as I became an expert at using the lab equipment. I was then able to use this experience at
one of my internships to test a design I had before it got built with an expensive printed circuit
bord. I also had to do lots of research for the lab assignments as some of them would go beyond
the scope of what was taught in lecture. These were great assignments as they also prepared me
for my internships where everything I did required me to do online research, ask my mentor, or
do trial and error to complete the projects. To go along with this, I built confidence to
communicate with people about technical things that I didn’t understand fully. I got better at
asking questions and finding information. This was super helpful because sometimes you need to
talk to salespeople who don’t always know all the technical details about something, so you have
to adjust your description, so they understand what you are looking for.
During my junior year I was burned out from school and my motivation was deteriorating
so I searched for a co-op to re-spark my passion for engineering. I was able to take a semester off
to work at the power plant here in Ames, Iowa. This was a very good experience as I got to learn
all about how to manage a large project. I also got introduced to the power and electric utility
industry. I learned a lot of things at this job as I had a verity of projects, I almost always had to
ask technicians or my engineering mentor for help. A lot of the projects were outside the scope of
what I learned in electrical engineering as they sometimes had more to do with mechanical
engineering than electrical. This was a great opportunity for me to build more skills and get
experience in working outside my area of study. The primary project I had at the power plant was
still electrical engineering focused, so I was able learn a lot about distribution systems at a power
plant. I got to study the different relaying schematics and use books and other resources at the
power plant to study equipment, learn how it worked, and develop a recommendation on how to
proceed upgrading or replacing the equipment. This experience was worth it even though I
realized I did not want to work for a power plant when I graduated. It showed me what I really
want to do is work in consulting and pursue a PE license. Though I did not want to work for a
power plant after graduating I still deeply enjoyed this job and I got to continue working part
time at the power plant when I returned to school in the fall.
This experience was very beneficial for me as I returned to complete my junior year in
the fall. The knowledge I gained at the power plant directly helped me understand the content in
my classes as I began taking tec electives in my focus of power systems. One of the projects I
had at the power plant directly helped me with my senior design project. This project is a
substation design and while working at the power plant I got to help update drawings for one of
the substations. This got me familiar with what is required for the different relaying drawings at
the substation as well as the general one line for the substation.
Overall, my experience at Iowa State has been difficult, but I would say it was definitely
worth the struggle as I know I will be able to do something I love when I graduate. I also feel
confident that even though I don’t know everything that I will need to accomplish my career
goals I have the ability to obtain the knowledge or the skills I am lacking.