MEET THE STUDENTS

Joe
talks about ECE @ Maryland:

Hi my name is Joseph Senerchia.  I currently attend the A. James Clark School of engineering and am working towards a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.  I am from Hillsborough, New Jersey and have lived in New Jersey my whole life.  Throughout my high school years, I developed a keen interest for math and science including physics, which I took junior year. 

I spent most of my childhood outdoors playing sports or constructing new toys.  I loved listening to my father explain how things were built and I even explored their functionality on my own.  With an inventive background and success in math and science, I was destined to become an engineer.  My interest in Electrical Engineering originated from my love of physics.  I had a great experience with my junior-level physics class and looked to my teacher as a role model.  Throughout the year, he shared his knowledge of electrical engineering and I was very intrigued.   After some investigation on my own, I realized EE was the right major for me.  One of the many things I loved about electrical engineering was it provided me a variety of opportunities in vast and growing occupations. 

After deciding my intended major, it took some time for me to select the right school.  Like all students preparing to pick their perfect universities, I made a list of things I wanted in my school.  Firstly, I knew the university needed to have my major available as well as a renowned program; that significantly narrowed my potential list of schools.  Next, I knew I was interested in attending a college with a larger environment, which the University of Maryland was able to provide.  The best part was the Electrical and Computer Engineering program at the University built its own community within this larger population.   I was given the great opportunity to meet some amazing faculty and staff when taking a tour and found there was enough diversity to entertain all of my research interests.

I am studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Maryland.  I am in the process of completing all of my major requirements and am set to graduate in May of 2011.  I am planning on specializing in electrophysics.  I developed an interest in physics when I was in high school.  The Maryland ECE curriculum allowed me to explore this interest.  I am very intrigued by electromagnetic theory and optics.  I also plan on applying my knowledge of electro physics to medical devices.

The one thing I appreciate most about attending the University of Maryland is the great amount of academic support throughout the campus.  As an ECE student I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in many clubs and organizations.  In high school I was always playing some sort of sport, so my first move in college was to start playing intramural sports.  I’ve been involved with an intramural sport every semester since.  Although sports are fun, I also wanted to get involved in some academic support groups.  I was already involved in the University Honors program, but I needed something more specific to my major, so I joined the Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE).  Throughout my years I have also participated in Habitat for Humanity. 

In my sophomore year I joined the Clark School Ambassador program to speak with prospective students about the A. James Clark School of Engineering.  Then, in my junior year, I was selected to be the webmaster and a coordinator of the program.  I was also nominated to be the social chair for Theta Tau, a professional engineering society.  I also participate in the Leaders of ECE, where I act as an ambassador for prospective and incoming students.  Academically I am taking courses to complete my requirements for the ECE honors program. 

The ECE department is full of diversity.  The diverse student body provides the opportunity to learn in the classroom about engineering and learn about different cultures outside the classroom.  All the students in the ECE department share a special bond because we all work together to achieve academic success.  The professors in the department are as eager to teach as the students are to learn.  The professors are here to ensure our success and are almost always available outside the classroom to lend a helping hand.  The sense of community, which the faculty and students emphasize, allows everyone to achieve academic success.

The University has had a huge impact on my life through the years.  After becoming a Terrapin, my leadership skills have developed and I’ve learned to work better in teams.  I used to prefer independent work, and now I find myself working in teams on all my assignments.  I also feel like I have gained many cultural experiences attending a unique and diverse campus.  These enlightening experiences have inspired me to explore more of the diverse cultures the world has to offer.

Each student is assigned a faculty mentor.  My faculty mentor, Shihab Shamma, has answered all my questions concerning my courses, internships and even directed me to other faculty who were looking for research assistants.  I also had the opportunity enroll in courses with Professor Lawson and Professor Tits.  Both of these professors have been very helpful in finding research positions and getting me into my study abroad program.  Their guidance has also helped me realize I want to pursue a master’s degree in engineering before moving onto the work force. 

It’s hard to give just one reason why a student should attend the University of Maryland ECE program.  It comes down to this, the Maryland ECE program offers unlimited opportunities, be it clubs, organizations, internships or jobs, which are all in a community of friends that you’ll never forget.

↑ Back to Top