Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 is ready to make its mark on the world! We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.
Today, we’d like you to meet Alexander Jackson.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Cochranton, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Defrees Family Foundation Endowment, STEM Leaders Program Scholarship, Behrend Excellence Award, Commonwealth Campus First Year Award.
On choosing Behrend: While I was job shadowing in high school, I learned that many engineers in northwestern Pennsylvania graduated from Penn State Behrend. As I talked with more people and broadened my connections, I realized that Behrend graduates were all over the world, working for some of the biggest companies. This gave me the confidence to put my trust in Behrend.
On choosing his major: Mechanical Engineering is a broad major that has allowed me to learn about many different industries and find the best career path for me. I also like that mechanical engineers can have an impact on the world through the design, manufacturing, testing, and implementation of new technology and innovations.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m proud of the internships and career opportunities I’ve obtained. I’ve met and worked with some incredible people and clients. I’ve also visited major tech companies and talked with engineers who are pushing the limits of engineering. These experiences are rewarding.
Campus involvement: STEM Leaders Program, Behrend Engineering Ambassadors, Men’s Volleyball player, Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Awards: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, National College Athlete Honor Society, Academic All-Conference, Men’s Volleyball Sportsmanship and Leadership Award, Men’s Volleyball MVP.
Highest priority for the coming years: My highest priority is to continue to learn. Learning doesn’t stop when we walk across that stage at graduation. A desire to learn and grow fuels innovation and creativity.
Sports rank high, too: Outside of work and school, I’m very passionate about sports! I’m a huge Pittsburgh fan (Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates), and enjoy playing and watching all kinds of sports. I love to be active.
Advice for first-year students: Surround yourself with a good group of people because the friends you hang out with will have a great influence on you and your goals. But don’t worry if you don’t find this group right away. As you go through school, you’ll meet others who share your interests and match your energy.
Parting thoughts: I’d like to thank all the faculty and staff members at Behrend. They deserve a lot of credit for the contributions and impact they have on generations of students. So I’d like to give a shout out to all the employees who keep Behrend up-and-running every year.
After graduation, Alex plans to work as a design engineer in the Rotary Wing Group at Parker LORD in Erie.
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