Student Zaria Kangethe explains the advantages of Moraine’s engineering program during a virtual event Wednesday.
By Marcus Collins, JRN 111 Student
How to engineer a path to a career was the topic of a virtual event Wednesday in which faculty, advisers and current students gave a rundown on Moraine’s engineering program, resources and transfer opportunities.
Moraine Valley offers opportunities for students to pursue various types of engineering, including aerospace, civil, mechanical, nuclear, computer science, architectural, or Industrial engineering.
During the virtual event, entitled, “Engineering@MoraineValley: Start Here, Finish Anywhere!” physics professor Jennene Fields discussed the different types of engineering careers and how Moraine can help students get a head start.
For instance, she said students should look for internships, as they can help students find their specific path.
“The earlier you can get an internship, the better you’ll understand what type of engineering you like, and you’ll have your foot in the door,” Fields said.
Moraine has created a direct pathway to an engineering degree at the University of Illinois, said academic adviser Kimberly Golk.
“Any student can come to Moraine Valley and take engineering courses, and apply for transfer to University of Illinois,” she said.
Golk said more than 78 percent of engineering pathway students have earned a 3.8 or higher GPA.
“Why does that matter?” she asked. “Well, that results in scholarships for those students.”
Moraine Valley also offers students the opportunity to join clubs that relate to engineering, including the STEM Club, the 3D Applications & Design Club, and the Mathematics Club.
STEM Club participates in the Illinois Skyway Conference STEM competition, in which club members work on an engineering design project and compete against other schools.
“Moraine has engineering students compete every year,” Fields said. “We do very well. We always have students place, and some years we have swept the competition.”
Wednesday’s virtual event included three current engineering students who said Moraine has helped them through one of the hardest obstacles they have faced in pursuit of their education: the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I came to Moraine Valley because I was class of 2020 in high school and we had no idea of what was going on, so it was kind of the safest option,” said Jack McDonald. “So far, I’d definitely say I like my experience. Everything’s been good.”
McDonald now knows he wants to attend of University of Illinois and is able to keep himself on the right track.
Taking courses online presented a challenge for many students, including Malcolm Horton, but being in person for classes this fall has helped him improve his work and studying. He felt that being at home all day was not helping him stay focused.
“Now that I’m in in-person classes, I’m definitely better at studying,” he said, though “it still is hard work.” Now fully aware of his potential, he plans attend University of Illinois and has had other options such as Northern Illinois University.
Zaria Kangethe also said she was not into online lab courses during the pandemic. What brought her to Moraine is that she wanted to change her major from liberal arts into the technical field.
“I had an engineering course I took in high school,” she said. “I sort of thought back to that, and it helped me refocus and actually realize this is something I did want to do.”
For more information on admissions for new students, you can reach out to Peggy Heenan by email at heenanm6@morainevalley.edu or the admissions office at (708)-974-5312.
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