Who am I?

PES Scholar - 2012, 2015, 2016

Major: Electrical Engineering Graduation year: May 2017 School: Texas Tech University Areas of Interest: Power Systems, and Renewable Energy.

Why did you choose to study engineering and the power engineering field?

During high school, when I was studying advanced level physics, I worked in laboratories and gained experience performing various experiments. I learned to set up apparatuses and other instruments to carry out experiments supporting theoretical studies of physics. While carrying out the labs, I acquired the skills to build simple electrical circuits. We performed experiments to demonstrate laws such as the Ohms Law. The labs were the favorite part of my course, and I enjoyed participating thoroughly in those physics lab. Those labs helped develop my aptitude towards an electrical engineering career.

What do you love about the power engineering field? What excites you about being involved in the PE field?

My interest in power engineering field developed during my work experience with CenterPoint Energy in Houston. My first internship was a Co-op with CenterPoint Energy in Distribution Planning. I was assigned the project Katy Distribution Development Plan, where I got engaged in planning new feeder circuits that serve the future customers of CenterPoint Energy in Katy, Texas. The experience helped me understand about power distribution, planning and system studies, power system electrical infrastructure, and electrical equipment. I thoroughly enjoyed working on my project and as a result I was offered another Co-op term in Substation Engineering. The second Co-op experience with CenterPoint Energy, in Houston helped me understand the function of a substation in major cities of USA. It also helped me get familiar with almost all substation electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, batteries, instrumentation, alarm systems and panels which are required to build a new substation. By the time I completed my second term with CenterPoint, I gained eight months of industry experience in the PE field and I enjoyed a lot. Since then, I felt that power engineering is a field that is a lifelong career.

How has been selected as a PES Scholar impacted you?

I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan in a traditional middle class Pakistani, Muslim family. By the time I graduated from high school, my family's immigration to the United States have been approved. I was the only one of my family who moved to Texas to study for a career in electrical engineering. After I arrived here, I started working full time to support my own expenses. While working, I continued my education. The scholarship enabled me to reduce the hours that I need to work to pay my various expenses, and as a result, provided me with additional time to study and pursue my educational goals. Being an IEEE PES Scholar also eased my path towards acquiring a higher quality education and helped me in gaining relevant work experience.

January 2016