Troy University Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) students had the opportunity to network and connect with local industry leaders at last week’s Engineering Internship and Career Expo held in the Trojan Center Ballrooms.
“The Engineering Internship and Career Expo helps create meaningful opportunities for our students to connect with industries, explore internship opportunities and pathways and take important steps toward their professional careers,” said Dr. Raj Vinnakota, interim director of the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences, EEE assistant professor and the program’s coordinator. “As a department, we are committed to preparing our students not only academically, but also through hands-on experiences and industry engagement that position them for long-term success.”
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Premier Tech, AirTek Construction, Inc., CMC, Sanders Lead Company, KW Plastics and The ESB group, Inc. were all on-hand to meet with students about industry needs, resume help, job shadowing, internship opportunities and more.
Andrew Womack, Sanders Lead Company chief of staff, said they were excited to be at TROY to meet with students and have hopes for a long-term, mutually-beneficial partnership with the program.
“We have a need for engineers—we are a niche atmosphere, so we’re hoping we can work long-term to build up these connections and meet students,” he said. “For this to be a new program at the University, we have been really impressed with the students’ knowledge base, and the questions they’re asking are beyond the standard. They’re asking specific questions about programs and technical problems, so it’s been exciting to have those conversations with them.”
Quincey Miller, a senior EEE major from Atlanta, Georgia, said he made connections with PowerSouth, Premier Tech, CMC and KW Plastics.
“I want to gain networking skills and expand my knowledge, so for the companies to come here and travel to us means a lot and shows a lot of support for us and our program. I really appreciate their effort,” he said.
With graduation approaching this semester, Miller said he wants to work in automation or coding and that the expo helped get him one step closer to being prepared for having a career after he walks the stage.
“Today did help me find internships and other opportunities to apply for. Dr. Vinnakota and Dr. Shahriar are very helpful, very patient—they understand the struggles we face,” he said. “I’m grateful to them for setting this up for us. We’ve come a long way from EET to the full engineering degree, and I’m grateful to be here.”
