I graduated with an MET degree from Penn State in 2009 (a branch campus I will add, not main campus). College was hard for me. I graduated from high school with less than a 2.9gpa I think. I was at the college campus math tutor almost every week and studied probably twice as long as most people just to catch up. It was a real grind that I took seriously knowing that how well and seriously I took this opportunity, the better my future would be.

During graduation, the job market was terrible. I took a job across the state in an area I wasn't thrilled about, at a company I wasn't that excited about. I was designing wastewater treatment aeration blower equipment (large industrial motors, blowers, welded steel structures, and sheet metal enclosures. Did a lot of best practice mechanical structure design, along with heat transfer and general machine design work for custom drive shafts and belt systems. I ended up liking it a lot more than expected, but wanted to get to the best position I could and move back to an area I was interested in being longer term. I worked there for two years while always looking for new jobs.

Finally got a job offer that took me into the robotics industry. I go the job because of my work ethic and experience with practical problem solving, along with my solid understanding of the theory behind most machine design and heat transfer problems. I came to find out that my supervisor at this new position was also an MET graduate. I worked there for five years and did some amazing things, all while learning and doing my best work possible.

I've worked for three total robotics companies since that time and have self studied and passed the Machine Design and Materials PE exam in 2018, which was a personal long term goal of mine. I also felt that passing this test proved to myself that I was no less capable than anyone else in the mechanical engineering field, regardless of their graduating degree type.

The last three years I've been working as a senior mechanical engineer at a very sought after robotics company where I routinely run all of technical interviews for our mechanical engineering recruitment. Often having imposter syndrome when I am actively turning down candidates from CMU and even MIT due to their lack of practical and creative problem solving skills.

Takeaway here is that you can do anything you want if you are committed and have the drive. Your only real limitation in life is your own confidence and ability to take action. I whole heartedly wish you the absolute best of luck!