Samuel Jenkins, BSME 2016, is also an Honors College graduate
Why did you choose the U of A?
I chose the U of A because I knew it would prepare me to become a successful mechanical engineer.
Why did you choose your major/focus?
I chose my majors of mechanical engineering and physics because I want to have a job where I can apply technical skills to solve problems.
What are your future plans and how did your college experience shape that?
In March of 2015, I signed on with the U.S. Navy as a Naval reactor Design engineer. In this job, I am responsible for the safety and operation of nuclear propulsion systems on Navy Vessels. I will start this job shortly after I graduate this spring. This job appealed to me because it focuses on solving problems with technical solutions, using clean energy, and I could serve my country by doing something that I both enjoy and am good at. By being involved with eh American Society of Mechanical Engineers chapter on the University of Arkansas campus, I was exposed to different fields of mechanical engineering and selected the one that appealed most to my interests.
Do you have any words of wisdom for your fellow students?
Select a degree that will get you the job that you want; there are multiple degree paths that lead to the same job. Don’t try to live up to other people’s expectations.
Tell us something unusual, surprising, or fun about yourself:
I like to build things out of wood. My dad and I created a razorback that now hangs proudly in my house. We cut the hog out of plywood to be approximately 4ft x 8ft and painted it. We have also built baggo boards, TV stands, workbenches, and tables.