Brendan Eck, Senior

Hometown:

Eaton, Ohio

Major:

Physics and Mathematics

Minor:

Japanese

Clubs or Organizations:

Society of Physics Students, Go Club, Anime Club

Building the Resume:

I am participating in an internship at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base which I likely wouldn't be able to do anywhere else. Wright State has jumpstarted my career in physics! I received the internship in physical acoustics Winter Quarter of my freshman year. I’ve been there ever since, and the experience has been invaluable both in terms of my resume and an application of my studies. It has also given me insight as to what courses I should take to prepare myself for the “real world.”

Feeling at Home:

Living on campus is a huge convenience and advantage. Being able to walk to classes or meet people at a moment’s notice is the big seller to me, and being a quick drive away from the mall and the base make it a prime location for my professional and social life. The community always has something to do, and it usually involves free food!

Preparing for the Future:

I want to get my Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from MIT and work for NASA, helping to bring mankind forward in our space endeavors. Wright State is providing me with a rigorous curriculum and preparing me for graduate school.

Building Tradition:

A snapshot of my time spent here would be of me and a group of friends sitting around a table by Cafe Wright on the first floor of the library. Not only are countless hours spent studying here, but this is a place where we can relax and hang out, as well as get a good cup of coffee.

Academic Experience:

Of course I love physics and math, but when you spend all day, everyday doing something, it gets pretty old, pretty fast, and yet it never gets easier. Not to say I don’t enjoy my experiences in my major classes, but I think everyone should take a “fun” class. Japanese has been that class for me. It’s a great way to take a hobby and nurture it, whether it’s a music, art, photography, or fencing course. You’ll meet new people and have something to look forward to at school.

Making a Difference:

“Diversity” has been pinned to skin color in the media. Wright State embodies the full meaning, with its many opportunities for expression and learning. The sense of inclusion allows us to take advantage of this diversity, as people of different race, religion, sexual orientation, political alignment, and intellectual interests are able to exchange ideas openly—and that makes for the best educational experience.

A Little Advice:

Look into your program and people who are or were in it! There are great opportunities for those who seek them out in every major, but especially STEM fields. If you’re a new student and don’t know anyone, look up an organization that sounds good to you. You’ll make lifelong friends in college—carpe diem!