Can you briefly introduce yourself?
I'm Sema Ette-Umoh, a Grid Modernization Engineer in Portland, Oregon. I'm an immigrant from Nigeria, and I moved to North America over 15 years ago. Having lived in both Nigeria and North America, I believe I've developed a unique dual perspective. My Nigerian background was my inspiration to pursue electrical engineering, with the goal of ultimately providing uninterrupted, efficient, and climate-friendly power to developing nations. I earned my BSc in Electrical Engineering with a focus in Power from Maseeh College.
In layman's terms, what does your field of engineers/computer scientists do?
We design, modernize, and maintain a resilient electrical power grid using smart technologies and data analytics to optimize asset performance and integrate distributed energy resources.
What led you to electrical engineering?
My educational path was pretty straightforward. I first went to college for mechanical engineering and then switched to electrical engineering after my freshman year. I chose PSU specifically for its downtown campus, which made it seamless to balance my classes with a local internship, giving me a crucial head start in my field.
Do you have any words of wisdom for current Maseeh students?
I highly recommend seeking out hands-on experience before you graduate. Look for opportunities through co-op and internship programs, or directly with local companies, to get a head start in your field. And don't let the pursuit of perfection paralyze you. It's more important to take action and just do it, because even if a course or major isn't the right fit, the experience itself is a valuable lesson that will help you later on.
How did Maseeh College help you prepare for your career?
One of the great things about Maseeh College is its strong collaboration with local utility companies. This partnership allows students to work on real-world issues for their capstone projects and gain valuable industry insights directly from professors who also hold positions at these companies.
What was your favorite aspect/experience/moment/class/professor at Maseeh College?
My favorite aspect of Maseeh College is the diversity reflected across the students and educators, that is, diversity of background, ethnicity, age, and life experiences. I learned invaluable lessons from interacting with different classmates and professors, which cultivated a truly inclusive campus culture. One of my proudest moments was the opportunity to develop and sponsor a capstone project for Maseeh College seniors, just two years into my career. It was a deeply rewarding experience to stay connected to academia and give back to the program in such a direct and meaningful way.
What are you most hopeful about in terms of engineering future innovations in your field?
I'm most hopeful about the advent of AI in the power industry, particularly its potential to provide insights for preventive maintenance, optimize asset performance, and unlock innovative solutions to long-standing challenges.