Salvador Cortes - California Polytechnic State
University San Luis Obispo

I am currently a sophomore student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I plan on majoring in Electrical Engineering (2019), specifically in the area of power and renewable energy. Over the past few years, I’ve been strengthening my skill in power and energy industry through my work with Cal Poly’s Power and Energy Society and the Cal Poly Future Fuels Club.

At a very young age I became interested in how thing worked, especially electronics that would be powered by a battery and that had an electric motor. I remember that often times I would open up my remote control car to try to learn how it worked, to me this was fascinating. Later in high school, I learned that I was good with calculus and physics, so I knew engineering was for me.

Similarly, I decided to study power engineering because I believe that through this field of study I will learn all the skills necessary to explore alternative solutions to green cleaner renewable forms of energy.

What makes me the most passionate about the power engineering field is the wide range of opportunities for young innovative engineers like me. Something that excites me the most is the updating of the power grid and new innovative solutions to renewable energy.

How has been selected as a PES Scholar impacted you?

By being selected a PES Scholar I am more confident in my capabilities as rising Electrical engineering professional. I have likewise learned more about the Power and Energy industry and possible careers paths.

Also am now, less worried about my college finances, which has allowed me to focus more on my learning.