Claire Going
For more than a century, Penn Engineering has fostered the growth of innovators, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and opportunities necessary to make remarkable contributions to the realms of science, technology and engineering. From revolutionizing industries to spearheading groundbreaking research, Penn Engineering alumni have left an indelible mark on the world.
Penn Engineering’s commitment to excellence and its nurturing environment has produced a diverse array of exceptional graduates, many of whom have gone on to achieve extraordinary feats in their respective fields. Alexander Shea is no exception. His story illuminates the transformative power of a Penn Engineering education and serves as an inspiration to aspiring engineers.
Alex received his undergraduate degree from Penn in 2018 in Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM) before continuing his education to receive a master’s in MEAM while working full-time.
You spent a lot of time at Penn. Can you describe your experience? What did you like most about your program?
The thing that stood out to me the most was that the professors were really good across the board in all of the classes that I took. They not only explained all the concepts really well but they were invested in making sure the students understood the material. They held regular office hours and stayed late to help you figure things out if you were having trouble. While working on my master’s, I took a class with Dr. Howard Hu in computational mechanics, which was the most interesting course I took at Penn. It was challenging, but he took a lot of time to sit down with me and ensured I was getting the concepts.
It was important to me to pair my classwork with something hands-on. So I joined the electric racing team. Between that, ADAPT, and other clubs, there are so many good opportunities for students to apply what they are learning in class. These clubs are the reason I’m in materials engineering, specifically composite materials.
Read more at Penn Engineering Graduate Education’s LinkedIn.