After my freshman year of indecisiveness and — more accurately — panic regarding my initial declaration of Mechanical Engineering, the HEET program provided a satisfying validation of my choice to switch my major to Electrical Engineering. Initially this decision was based almost only on the limited circuits-focused work I did in Physics II, which left me still unsure of my choice. However, now that the HEET program has allowed me to individually shadow two very experienced electrical engineers and have many of my questions carefully answered, I feel much more confident in my degree path. This choice was especially reinforced when I learned from these mentors about Autodesk Revit, a computer program used by most engineers at Tyson to put their engineering knowledge into practical application. I saw how it worked and was being used to design the electrical room, lighting, and power flow to real plants, which fascinated me, and this was only one of several different paths I could see myself taking in a company like Tyson.

Another large aspect of this program was the individual research project I was tasked with. Mine focused on solar energy and its viability for businesses. By writing a research paper on this, I learned about how solar panels work, how often they are used in businesses, and how potentially detrimental they may be in the future, despite their widely acclaimed environment-friendliness. Using my research, I created a ten-minute presentation on this topic and shared it in a room of experienced engineers. Though nerve-wracking, this showed me that even in a room full of people with so much more experience than I do, my perspective is valued. This, and many other aspects of the program, provided me with priceless confidence that I can hold on to as I continue my degree and begin my career.

This program was invaluable for me to have as a sophomore engineering student, most importantly because it instilled in me the confidence that I needed to pursue my Electrical Engineering degree and provided me experience with real engineers. Further, I had an amazing time building friendships with my peers who also participated in the HEET program, and I am very grateful especially to Ajay Chatlani for all of his guidance and support, Louise Hancox, my mentors, and everyone who played a role in organizing this opportunity for us. I hope the program continues to be a success that will help more engineering students like me!