Benjamin Francis
The professors truly care about the learning of their students, and have gone above and beyond to ensure everyone is getting the most enriching and educational experience they can.
Where do you work and what is your title?
AkzoNobel, Engineering Manager
What is your area of interest within ECE?
Power and Energy Systems
Why did you choose Purdue for your MSECE?
Purdue has been consistently ranked one of the top online programs in Electrical Engineering, and the program allowed for the depth and breadth of study I was looking for without requiring a thesis track. The professors teach both in person and online courses, so I knew I could get a similar quality of program as someone who was fully on-campus.
What do you like about the program?
Purdue has provided the right balance between theory and practical application for a practicing engineer. Some of the professors are on the cutting edge of their fields, and their vast breadth and depth of experience allows me to focus on what’s most important for my career to continue to learn and grow. The professors truly care about the learning of their students, and have gone above and beyond to ensure everyone is getting the most enriching and educational experience they can.
How will earning the MSECE help you reach your career goals?
Having an MSECE shows I have the dedication and knowledge to be able to solve problems in engineering. As I continue in my career, this gives me an advantage over other engineers both in terms of professional advancement opportunity and a technical base to pull information from to face new challenges.
What advice would you give to a prospective student interested in the online MSECE?
It’s a great opportunity, but can seem daunting, especially if you’re working full-time or have been out of school for a while. Take it slow to start, with one class for the first semester or two, and save the more difficult core classes for later when you’re back in the swing of things later on.
Any additional information you’d like to share:
I transferred from another university where I was attending in-person and was worried about the workload and perception of having an online program. If faced with the decision again, I would choose the fully-online program without a second thought. The workload meets the challenge of the rigorous Purdue curriculum and having it fully-online has not diminished mine, or anyone else’s, perception of the degree in the slightest.