51°µÍř

Noah Hensley (Hometown: Ironton, Ohio) decided to attend 51°µÍř to expand his knowledge and opportunities with a degree in Computer Engineering Technology. With an associate’s degree in Environmental Engineering Technology, he was looking for a program that would complement his skills. 

“I felt that Shawnee's Computer Engineering program could complement my existing engineering education and simultaneously provide me a chance to pursue a lifelong interest of mine – computers,” he said. 

Forcing himself out of his comfort zone at times in his coursework, Hensley appreciates how his classes and professors have made him work hard to understand concepts.

“I've really enjoyed the times that my classes have pushed me,” he said. “They've helped me realize that I'm not naturally excellent at everything, even if I do have certain inclinations. Learning and learning well will always be at least a little uncomfortable, because it often requires a great deal of re-learning.”

While working through assignments in his program can be difficult at times, Hensley shares how the pay-off of seeing something he’s been working on succeed makes it all worthwhile.

“I remember working on a programming assignment in the lab and finally getting my circuit motor to spin at different speeds,” he said. “It was one of the first applications of the programmable logic that I had learned, and it was very satisfying.”

Entering a field with a lot of career possibilities, Hensley is narrowing down what type of computer engineering he believes is right for him. 

“I would love to use my programming knowledge to become a code tester or even work on software projects,” he said. “Eventually, I would love to work from home or have the ability to travel with my work.”

To students interested in pursuing Computer Engineering Technology, Hensley wants to encourage them to keep an open mind and stay focused on continuing to learn in the classroom and lab every day. 

“Many of the classes that I've had so far have challenged me greatly,” he said. “I tried to stay humble and remember that I don't know everything – I'm there to learn new concepts and sometimes re-learn concepts that I don't know well. Each and every professor has invaluable information to share with you if you're willing to listen.”

Emphasizing the ethics of computer science as well as the communication skills needed to interact with internal and external customers, SSU’s Computer Engineering Technology program’s coursework is divided among computer, science, and engineering courses. Students in the program receive an intensive training in advancing technology. 

To learn more about the Computer Engineering Technology program at 51°µÍř, visit shawnee.edu/computer-engineering.