Can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Betty Fung, and I’m the Director of Interconnection at Sunraycer in Orlando, Florida. I graduated from Maseeh College with an MS in Electrical Engineering with a Power Engineering focus. My professional career has been in Energy and Utilities and Generator Development.
In layman’s terms, what do power engineers do?
Power engineers ensure the energy transition provides consumers with a reliable, affordable, electricity supply that fosters just and sustainable economic productivity for future generations.
What was your educational path and why did you choose Maseeh College at PSU?
After obtaining my BS in Renewable Energy Engineering from Oregon Institute of Technology, I came to Portland State University following Dr. Robert Bass, who had previously created a renewable energy engineering program at OIT and was now creating the Power Engineering concentration at PSU. I think Dr. Bass is one of the best teachers in the industry. He created a Power Engineering program that produces work-ready, communicative, well-rounded people.
In addition, I appreciated the flexible class schedule, the excellent faculty, and the commute-friendly location. In terms of flexibility, I got a lot of value from classes outside of the technical engineering core, such as courses on economic and social sustainability, as well as classes focused on regulations and policy that prepared me for work at utility companies and gave me a well-rounded knowledge.
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for current Maseeh College students?
Enjoy and embrace every moment of making mistakes and every learning opportunity that comes with it while you're in school. Trust, get comfort with, and learn to love the process! It will prepare you for the real world where mistakes ought to be made (it doesn't stop), except then you'll be mentally resilient for it! Additionally, ask everyone for their story and about what they did and what they would have done differently with their career. This is great advice to help shape your own path.
How did Maseeh College help you prepare for your career?
The power program being taught by real world practicing engineers allowed us to "access the job" before going on to our eventual careers. Our course work and assignments being derived from real world problems helped us engage with the real world which made for a smooth transition into our careers.
What are you most hopeful about in terms of engineering and/or future innovations in your field?
The continual interplay between hardware and software engineering solutions that make the world more efficient and productive. In my lifetime, I have witnessed many iterations of hardware improving software, which then improves hardware (and so on) which led to mass innovation and global productivity. I so look forward to the future instances of this!