Major: MS in Mechanical Engineering
Ask Jeffrey a Question
When did you become interested in engineering?
Unlike most people in engineering, I didn’t always want to be one—I wanted
to be a lawyer. This changed in early high school when I’d often see a quiet,
averagely dressed man who drove an old matte red and black Mercedes on
Sundays. I remember asking about him, and my parents mentioned that he
worked as a mechanical engineer at one of the nation’s biggest power plants.
I was really curious and loved to read even then, and this sent me down one
of the biggest rabbit holes of hardcopy encyclopedias and magazines, because
that’s all we had back home at the time. I think that’s where it all began. I
haven’t looked back since then, I realize.
What are your career plans
At the peak of my career, I aim to simply design controllers and algorithms
for multi-robot swarm systems. However, I also hope to leverage my technical
skills and reputation to launch outreach and mentorship programs for people
with similar backgrounds to mine—giving them the opportunity to pursue their
dreams as well.
What made you choose Drexel’s graduate school?
The single most important factor for me was realizing that much of the faculty
had real-world industrial experience, and not just amazing academic backgrounds.
This gave me the trust and confidence that the innovations here would
be highly relevant to current world and industry trends. Side note—I also always
wanted to see ”Philly.”
What extracurricular activities do you enjoy?
Outside of my current research and mentorships, I set aside a few hours each
week to take walks, watch documentaries, and practice the piano. I firmly
believe that to excel in my work, maintaining both my health and state of mind
is essential.
What advice would you give students thinking of attending graduate school?
To students considering graduate school:
- Approach your journey with an open mind—and curiosity.
- Recognize that whatever institution you happen to be a part of is only a
facilitator of your education—take charge.
- Build strong networks in your field and communities.
- Prioritize a well-balanced life.
- Ask for and accept help if need be - utilizing the resources available to
you is a sign of strength.
- Finally, allow the experience to help you grow, both personally and professionally.