Alpha Sigma Phi - University of Washington

6 Electrical engineering – the closest we will come to magic So why did Bryan embrace electrical engineering? "Electrical engi- neering is the closest we are going to get to magic in our life. It is a field that most people know nothing about. I thought the applica- tions of electrical engineering were fascinating and I wanted to see if I can do them. I picked the UW because it is a good school for that. It has tons of resources." Again, Bryan uses a philosophical example to explain why he calls electrical engineering magic. "When you get to know a person really well you make assumptions about their life, but there is so much more behind that person." The same is true with electrical technology and assumptions, says Bryan. "Take the cell phone for instance," he says. "If you want to change the world, you can't just take the cell phone as fact. You have to know the person behind the technology. Cell phones work like magic. You push a button on a phone and it works. It's wireless. It's magic…but so much more." To Bryan this is amazing, fascinating, intriguing, and challenges him to pursue a career that develops more technology. "There is so much to learn and understand behind the magic….and, when you think you learned it, the field expands, so you have to compartmen- talize things and keep learning. Just like with people, you have to know the person behind the technology to understand it. Then maybe you might have an idea why your cell phone won't work." Jet propulsion piques Bryan's interest and NASA enters the scene "My interest in jet propulsion," begins Bryan, "was a constantly growing interest. I got into my major and knew nothing. Between my sophomore and junior year I got my first internship with California Edison on electrical vehicle technology. This gave me professional experience in a corporate setting and an idea of the direction I can go with a concentration in electrical engi- neering. I realized I could go into the power side, which is power systems, or I could go into computerized applications of electrical engineering. Computer applications is the development of computer technology. This concentration is called Embedded Computer Systems, which is the major I grew into. "Once I selected this concentration I knew I needed to find a job in some sort of advanced technology. I was going to go for a master's, but decided I needed more work experience. So, I went to NASA. They are a highly regarded company in my hometown of Pasadena. They have a cultural and intellectual environment focusing on creating and inspiring discovery in people, plus their products are amazing. I saw NASA as a perfect fit where I can grow. I applied to many places, but NASA was my top pick. I applied online and participated in a career fair, but heard nothing back. I was taught by my baseball coach, Anthony Chevier, that sometimes you hit road blocks but you keep going on. This principle he taught me I have consistently applied, particularly with looking for a job. He told me to keep my actions and daily life relational to what I want the outcome of my life to be. So I keep going." "A friend of mine who worked at NASA gave me contact informa- tion for the guy who was a manager in the Mars Rover Project. I e-mailed the person and sent a personal letter asking for the oppor- tunity to prove myself. I didn't hear back for two months. Three weeks before summer this year I got a call while in math class. I was hired on the spot. I was told there were two positions available and was asked my impression of both of them. That was my whole interview. My summer internship at NASA was being a part of its Control Validation Team at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory with the Mars Rover Project. At the end of summer I applied for that position again on a permanent basis and got it." What exactly does the Control Validation Team do? Brian explains. "Once the Rover's engines are designed and built, our team receives them and validates that their functionability is correct. Then we integrate them with the Rover's computer systems. The motor controls the Rover's six wheels and robotic arm." In a decade of growing up and learning, Bryan has already accomplished much. While at the UW, Bryan widened his experience as an undergraduate researcher for the UW BioRobotics Laboratory and as an undergraduate teaching assistant for EE215: Introduction to Elec- trical Engineering. With all this under his belt, Bryan confidently says, "Now I know what I have to do professionally for the first few years of my career to earn my technical chops and respect, but, after that I want to be a jack-of-all-trades and keep learning so I can bring together groups of people to do things that have been though unachievable. You need to go deep in one field to know what you don't know so that you can pick people for your team who can help achieve the goal." Bryan recognizes the metamorphosis he has gone through. "When I came to the UW I was out of my element and was in a place where I knew no one. I got rid of what felt like a chip on my shoulder concerning what I thought I could do," says Bryan. "The new self-revelation lit a fire in me to really put myself out there and have no regrets looking back. I want to have that fire inside me for the rest of my life and career." "Alpha Sigma Phi has been my home for the past four years," Bryan reminisces. "The time at UW has been an unexpected and enriching experience and I know that I will graduate with memories and core values that will continue to serve me for years to come." Bryan is correct. The Old Gal always betters the man. "It makes me happy to make other people happy," says Bryan. "I like to help them be successful and to be successful with them."

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