 Sarah
Bergagnini
Engineering Student
California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA
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Senior, BS Electrical Engineering,
BS Medical Technology, and Minor in Chemistry
California State University Northridge |
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"Just work hard and do
not get into the mind set that something is hard. You can do anything
that you really try to do." |
 Q:
When did you know you wanted to become an Engineer?
Berganini:
Senior year of High School.
I knew I liked computers and wanted to go into a field that worked with
them. Once in college I fell into Electrical Engineering because I liked
my introduction circuits class.
Q:
What is your college experience like in terms of the amount of time you
find you need to study each day?
Berganini:
Each day you will probably
study about 2.5 hours a day. Most of the work is lab reports.
Q:
Are you incorporating any work experiences while you are a student?
(include both internships/co-ops and any other jobs you may be holding
while in school)
Berganini:
While in school I worked
the entire time. For the first few years I worked as an office manager
and then my senior year I did the honors Co-op and worked for an
engineering firm.
Q:
How did you prepare for your college experience?
Berganini:
I prepared for college by
studying hard in high school and taking a lot of AP classes.
Q:
Did/do you have a mentor that has helped guide you thus far? (If so,
describe the impact of this person on your education and career plans)
Berganini:
No
Q:
Is there a specialty area you have focused on in engineering? If so,
what is it, and how did you decide on this specialty? Also, at what
point in your college experience did you decide?
Berganini:
My specialty is electrical
engineering. I decided I liked electrical engineering after taking my
first circuit's course after my freshman year.
Q:
Is it hard to balance your engineering studies with other college
activities (entertainment, travel, having fun)?
Berganini:
Engineering is a very
intensive major and there are times that I do not have time to go out
with friends. However, it is not all bad most of the projects are done
with a group so you are not sitting by yourself missing what everyone
else is doing. Also, groups like fraternities/ sororities that require a
lot of your time will make it harder to get good grades in engineering.
Q:
Do you find yourself studying more in a team situation or alone? Do you
have a preference?
Berganini:
Most of the time you study
as a team, but there are times where you have to do things yourself.
Q:
What's the hardest thing you have found about your college experience
working toward a degree in engineering?
Berganini:
The hardest thing about
working on an engineering degree is taking on to many activities at one
time (i.e. work, school, professional societies and personal life)
Q:
What's the most rewarding aspect about working toward a degree in
engineering?
Berganini:
The most rewarding aspect
is the friends you make working in a team. When you help others with
their projects they will be there for you helping on yours.
Q:
Do you think you'll continue studying engineering, or do you think
you'll switch to another area? Why?
Berganini:
I will continue studying
engineering in graduate school.
Q:
Do you have any idea what sort of industry or work you'd like to do when
you graduate? If so, how did you find out about this industry or field?
Berganini:
Not really. I would be fine
with pretty much anything.
Q:
Do you think you'll want to pursue additional degrees after you complete
the one you are working on? Why or why not?
Berganini:
Yes! I would work on my
master's degree in electrical engineering.
Q:
Did you think that school will prepare you for the way the work gets
done in the real world?
Berganini:
A little bit. In school you
learn the basics and how to work with all kinds of people.
Q:
How many engineering schools did you apply to? How many accepted you?
Berganini:
For undergraduate one and
accepted by one. For Graduate school two and accepted by two.
Q:
Did you have a "first choice?" Were you accepted into your "first
choice?"
Berganini:
Yes and Yes
Q:
How did you decide which college/university to go to?
Berganini:
For undergraduate I only
chose one place. For graduate I have not decided where to go yet. Each
school has it pros and cons.
Q:
What should high school students be doing to prepare themselves to take
on the work that engineering students do?
Berganini:
Study really hard and work
hard in school. Try to do well in math and science classes because a
good math background is essential to succeeding in engineering.
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