Seth Strege - Professional Statement - School of Computer and Electrical Engineering - Senior in Electrical Engineering
My name is Seth Strege and I am a senior, majoring in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University. During my time at Purdue, I have acquired countless skills and knowledge that would reinforce my credibility as an engineer. I have gained leadership skills working as an Undergraduate Teacher’s Assistant, being a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and serving as captain of a soccer team in a recreational sports league. In addition, I have also gained a great amount of engineering work experience through my 3-Session Co-Op with Cummins Inc. These experiences, along with my hard work ethic, cooperativeness, and adaptability would make me a strong candidate to be considered by any engineering employer.
My strongest leadership skills were developed while working as an Undergraduate Teacher’s Assistant for ECE 270 (Introduction to Digital System Design) at Purdue University. During this time, I was in charge of two different three hour labs with about 14 students in each. Before each lab I would give a short lecture, along with a Graduate Teacher’s Assistant. While the students were working on the labs, I would also provide guidance to anyone that was having trouble solving problems. During every lab I would grade students’ progress, and at the end of the semester I graded their final projects. I also have shown leadership through the Purdue Recreational Sports League and Tau Beta Pi. I was a captain for a 3 vs. 3 soccer team at Purdue and it was my responsibility to reschedule any make-up games as well as keep every team member informed about each game. While working with Tau Beta Pi, I had a great opportunity to volunteer for a local community event in West Lafayette, IN, called “Boo at the Zoo.” At the event I was in charge of different Halloween games and activities for hundreds of local children.
While working with Cummins Inc., during a 3-Session Co-Op, I gained an enormous amount of engineering work skills and knowledge. During my time with Cummins, I gained work experience in the Industrial Customer Engineering Department with the Tier IV Industrial Controls Test and Validation Team (May-August, 2010 and January-May, 2011) and the Industrial Controls Current Product Support Team (May-July, 2011). Having the opportunity of working with these two different teams gave me innumerable new experiences, including everything from engine testing to real customer issues. I gained extensive testing experience with a Cummins QSL 8.9L engine while completing Failure Modes & Effects Testing and I also completed the Cummins ISX/ISB Engine Familiarization Training. Another great experience was participating as a team member on a Six Sigma Project. The objective of the project was to optimize regression test cycle time for the Industrial Midrange Current Product Support team.
Some of my other work included performing hundreds of automated tests on ACCEPTS (Automated Common Controls Electronic Product Test System), creating a New Hire Tutorial document to help new hires with initial setup, and working closely on a customer issue with MacDon Industries Ltd. One of my favorite experiences while at Cummins was having the opportunity to volunteer for the Seymour Summer Solar Sprint competition in Seymour, IN. During this competition, middle school students design and build small solar powered cars while being provided with only a solar panel, motor, rules, and guidelines. I helped the students along during the design and testing stages of their cars, and showed them how the principles they learn in the classroom can be applied in the real world.
As can be seen from my past leadership and experiences, I would have strong credibility as an entry-level engineer. In addition, I always hold any work I do to a very high standard of excellence, and have received Dean’s List and Semester Honors every year since attending Purdue University. My strong working ethic and ability to work well with others will help me to be successful throughout my engineering career.
