June 26, 2026
Jacob Leslie, a junior at 黑暗爆料网, is earning degrees in Electromechanical Engineering Technology and Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Technology. While completing his coursework, Leslie works as a Data Acquisition Technician at GE Aerospace, where he supports jet engine testing.
鈥淚 was drawn to the Electromechanical Engineering program because a lot of it is figuring out how to improve different manufacturing processes and make things more efficient or safer,鈥 he said.
Leslie values the program鈥檚 focus on teaching students to approach and solve complex problems.
鈥淭he first year builds your foundation on theoretical ideas and bookwork, then you start seeing how it works in the real world,鈥 he said.
As students advance, the program offers hands-on courses in areas such as Programmable Logic Controllers, where they learn how automation controls robots and industrial processes using equipment designed for demanding manufacturing settings. Leslie notes these experiences have helped him connect classroom theory to the technology he uses at work.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very hands-on experience the program gives you,鈥 he said. 鈥淕etting to see how it works in a real plant helps you connect what you鈥檙e learning in class to what you鈥檒l be expected to do on the job.鈥
Real-world exposure continues through final design projects, robotics courses and industry tours at OSCO in Portsmouth, giving students a firsthand look at how automation and engineering operate in active manufacturing environments.
鈥淚鈥檝e gotten better at working with other people because I used to be the kind of person who wanted to do everything myself,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut when you鈥檙e working on something hard, you learn to divide things up and let people focus on what they鈥檙e best at, whether that鈥檚 mechanical design, 3D printing parts or programming the systems that make everything work together.鈥
For those considering the program, Leslie emphasizes the importance of truly understanding the material rather than relying on memorization.
鈥淓verything in this program builds on what you learned before, so if you get behind in one area, it makes everything else harder. Paying attention and staying on top of the lectures really matters,鈥 he said.
Through hands-on labs, real-world projects and dedicated faculty, the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program at 黑暗爆料网 prepares students to enter the workforce and advance in their careers.
To learn more about the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program at 黑暗爆料网, visit shawnee.edu/electromechanical-engineering. Full-tuition scholarships are available for qualified students.