Testimonial

Stephen D. Hill

[B.S.M.E. 1994, M.S. 1996, Ph.D. ME 1999]
Senior Engineer
Schlumberger Conveyance and Delivery Center
Sugar Land, Texas

E-mail: shill@sugar-land.oilfield.slb.com

My graduate research experience at the Woodruff School prepared me for my career by providing me with an excellent foundation in the principles of mechanical engineering. I was presented with a variety of real-world problems to solve using those principles. This variety of problems exposed me to different subject areas at a more intense level. This is important because my position in industry has me working on a number of different issues, which vary from tool design to solid/liquid separation techniques. The ability to deal with these different, but coinciding issues, stem from the diversity of the coursework required in the graduate program.

One reason that I decided to attend Georgia Tech was because of its reputation for placing proficient researchers in the workforce and for preparing capable professors for academia. As a graduate student, I was undecided is to which route I would take. Since Georgia Tech has a large, diverse staff with expertise in both research and instruction, I was exposed to both sides. Furthermore, the support staff of the graduate department provided seminars and symposium on topics that aided my transition from a student to the workforce.

The key factor that I would emphasize is exposure and Georgia Tech provides this on all levels. It exposes you to new and innovative research techniques, to high quality instruction, to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, to talented students, to veteran and young faculty, to interaction with industry and other institutions, and to work opportunities regardless of your career choice.