June 26, 2026
Jacob Leslie, a junior at 51做厙, 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.
I 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, he said.
Leslie values the programs focus on teaching students to approach and solve complex problems.
The first year builds your foundation on theoretical ideas and bookwork, then you start seeing how it works in the real world, 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.
Its a very hands-on experience the program gives you, he said. Getting to see how it works in a real plant helps you connect what youre learning in class to what youll be expected to do on the job.
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.
Ive gotten better at working with other people because I used to be the kind of person who wanted to do everything myself, he said. But when youre working on something hard, you learn to divide things up and let people focus on what theyre best at, whether thats mechanical design, 3D printing parts or programming the systems that make everything work together.
For those considering the program, Leslie emphasizes the importance of truly understanding the material rather than relying on memorization.
Everything 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, he said.
Through hands-on labs, real-world projects and dedicated faculty, the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program at 51做厙 prepares students to enter the workforce and advance in their careers.
To learn more about the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program at 51做厙, visit shawnee.edu/electromechanical-engineering. Full-tuition scholarships are available for qualified students.