An Update on my Life
Well, I survived the slings and arrows of everyday life and I've finally got a little time to post an update on LJ. It's been a little while, eh? A lot's been going on while I've been away from the little girl problem here and there to the ever-present quest to graduate. Well, I can proudly tell you this now: I'm officially an Aerospace Engineer.
After long last, I graduated on last Friday from Aerospace after completing all of the stuff up from my undergrad research program as well as all the work from the Space Systems Design project this year. I can tell you that I never thought the end would be so painful on time. But, I was grateful that it did come to an end. When I graduated, a lot of people (besides my family) told me they were proud of me. In fact, as I walked across the stage, Dr. Fourney (the man who helped me get through it all) hugged me as I walked across. Besides that, he was almost emotionless for the ceremony.
You would think, "What's next, Jarred?" And, most would say that I'd probably be going to the job I'd lined up.....if I did. Instead, I'm going to break that chain of thought and go directly into grad school at Maryland in the fall. I'm still looking for funding, as my professor is working very hard to see that I do get it. And, the faculty has been highly supportive of that move, but at the same time, I had heard that even the Dean of Engineering (former Aerospace Chair) was very interested in my future there. I was wondering why until I found out that I was going to be the only minority student coming into Aerospace for grad school (of all ethnic groups considered to be minorities in engineering). It might be interesting to see how this fares, but all I can do is do the best I can. And so far, I fell I'm doing a great job.
I'm currently working on a project that would aid military helicopters during normal operations using plasma in order to reduce vibratory forces on the rotor blades. It's some pretty cool stuff. Prototype #1 already worked, but I'm trying to get the second working this week, so he'll have something cooler to pose off to try to get funding. When the school year starts, I'll be working on my Master's, concentrating in AstroPropulsion (which is why I'm working with plasma stuff. Pretty awesome!!!)
In the immediate future, though, I'll be working at Morgan State next week on a new flight simulator. It's a NASA-funded intern exchange program between Maryland, Maryland-Eastern Shore, and Morgan State that gives a hefty stipend and full room and board. So, I get to accomplish another dream: to see what it's like at a blacker school, lol.
All in all, I should have more time to update this now and I'll try to keep everyone up to date. Until then, enjoy this picture of my graduation cake!!!
After long last, I graduated on last Friday from Aerospace after completing all of the stuff up from my undergrad research program as well as all the work from the Space Systems Design project this year. I can tell you that I never thought the end would be so painful on time. But, I was grateful that it did come to an end. When I graduated, a lot of people (besides my family) told me they were proud of me. In fact, as I walked across the stage, Dr. Fourney (the man who helped me get through it all) hugged me as I walked across. Besides that, he was almost emotionless for the ceremony.
You would think, "What's next, Jarred?" And, most would say that I'd probably be going to the job I'd lined up.....if I did. Instead, I'm going to break that chain of thought and go directly into grad school at Maryland in the fall. I'm still looking for funding, as my professor is working very hard to see that I do get it. And, the faculty has been highly supportive of that move, but at the same time, I had heard that even the Dean of Engineering (former Aerospace Chair) was very interested in my future there. I was wondering why until I found out that I was going to be the only minority student coming into Aerospace for grad school (of all ethnic groups considered to be minorities in engineering). It might be interesting to see how this fares, but all I can do is do the best I can. And so far, I fell I'm doing a great job.
I'm currently working on a project that would aid military helicopters during normal operations using plasma in order to reduce vibratory forces on the rotor blades. It's some pretty cool stuff. Prototype #1 already worked, but I'm trying to get the second working this week, so he'll have something cooler to pose off to try to get funding. When the school year starts, I'll be working on my Master's, concentrating in AstroPropulsion (which is why I'm working with plasma stuff. Pretty awesome!!!)
In the immediate future, though, I'll be working at Morgan State next week on a new flight simulator. It's a NASA-funded intern exchange program between Maryland, Maryland-Eastern Shore, and Morgan State that gives a hefty stipend and full room and board. So, I get to accomplish another dream: to see what it's like at a blacker school, lol.
All in all, I should have more time to update this now and I'll try to keep everyone up to date. Until then, enjoy this picture of my graduation cake!!!