Earl can trace his interest in engineering to his fascination with the intricacies of the technical world. What started as a passing interest is now a passion: "I’ve always marveled at the world of technology and can't walk past a Popular Science or Popular Mechanics magazine without browsing through it. I also love to build and take apart things so it was pretty clear to me that I wanted to be an engineer from early on. Engineering impacts and influences our society in so many ways and I love the challenge it presents. After a year at Cornell, I have an even better idea of what engineering is all about. Now it’s the only academic area I am interested in and would like to do for a living."
As a Cornell Engineer, Earl can let his curiosity loose as he explores the ways engineering ties complex principles of math and science to hands-on application. "In the future I’m going to try out for Cornell’s Formula SAE Race Car Team or the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team," he says. "My Engineering 150 class visited the engineering machine shop, which is in Thurston Hall. I had a look under the hood of the HEV vehicle that a group of Cornell students were building for a competition at the time. The class also had the opportunity to handle a set of artificial bones that a bio-medical engineering professor builds in her research lab. It was amazing to see how mechanical engineers are working with the fields of medicine and biological sciences to produce better prosthetics."
When Earl’s not on the engineering quad he looks for opportunities to get involved across campus. "As a Cornell student, I’ve met a lot of interesting people, with all sorts of personalities. I’m an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers and Habitat for Humanity. Both groups are very active and keep me busy. I also play pick-up basketball and soccer any time I can and also play both as intramural sports. Beyond that, I find time to bowl, go to the movies, and go to parties. There’s a lot to do here!"
And what comes next for Earl? "My plan is to continue to graduate school in engineering or business and create an engineering-related business from the ground up. At the moment, I’m not sure exactly what kind of business that will be, but creating a luxury car company would be my dream. If not that, then something that has me traveling a lot and working with my hands. The first step, though, will be to get my masters degree."
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