“Oh, I’m not going to college,” I told my friends and family during my senior year of high school. Little did I know, those words would come back to surprise me as my plans took an unexpected turn.

My name is Jacob Christiansen, and I’m a second-year student studying electrical and computer engineering at NC State. The journey that brought me here is one I never anticipated.

Where I Come From

I grew up in Murphy, North Carolina, the westernmost town in the state, tucked away in Cherokee County. Surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, Murphy is a quiet, close-knit place—a six-hour drive from Raleigh.

Growing up, I’d never even heard of NC State. University wasn’t something I planned on, given the financial burden it would place on my single-parent household. My mom, without whom I would not have gotten this far, wanted me to pursue opportunities to better myself, but I couldn’t bear the thought of putting that weight on her shoulders.

I had to either get a scholarship or work straight out of high school–both of which were great options. I planned to work after high school, and maybe pursue tradeschool once I had saved some money. I was taking it one day at a time.

How I Got to NC State

At my high school, applying to university was highly encouraged. Not knowing too well what I was doing, I submitted a few applications. When my advisors suggested scholarships, I was skeptical. I didn’t think I had much of a chance. But I figured, why not try? The worst they could say was no. 

Because of my interest in electronics and computer technology—something I’d been passionate about from a young age—my band director said I should apply to NC State, a school renowned for STEM. My response? “Great! What’s NC State?” I’d never heard of it before, but thank God I listened.

Soon after, I applied for the Goodnight Scholarship. I was chosen as a finalist and went through a final interview process.

A few days later, I received a phone call stating I was accepted. All of my plans thereafter, completely changed. 

The Adventures I’ve Had

Since arriving at NC State, I’ve had opportunities I never dreamed of.

I play the clarinet in the Power Sound of the South marching band. I’ve played clarinet in marching band for years and was even drum major in high school. Music has had a major impact on my life, so I planned to continue at university. There is no other experience than being in the field when all the lights go red and everyone is singing the fight song as the jets fly across the stadium. The Wolfpack Exhuberance is strong with me.

Last summer, I worked as the lead project engineer during an internship in London, England. I created a monitoring system to measure CO2 absorption in a body of water over time, a project that combined my love for engineering and environmental sustainability.

While abroad, I took full advantage of the chance to travel. I backpacked across England and Scotland, carrying only the hiking bag I bought in London. A lifelong Beatles fan, I made a pilgrimage to Liverpool to pay homage to the Fab Four. The UK gave me memories I’ll cherish forever: the places I visited, the incredible people I met, and the conversations that broadened my perspective. I can’t forget about the fish and chips, can I?

What’s Next

My time at NC State has awakened a deep love for adventure and traveling abroad. In March, I will be traveling to Central Asia with my church on a mission trip.  In May, I’ll be traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia, to explore the Canadian Rockies and have new experiences 

My main goals in life are to live simply, have adventure, and share those experiences with a family of my own–and I have only just begun.

If you’d told me as a child that I’d be living these dreams, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am, grateful for every step of the journey.

Conclusion

NC State and the Goodnight Scholars Program have opened doors I never thought I could walk through. This post doesn’t even touch on all the experiences I’ve had thus far. I am very grateful that God has blessed me to be here. The opportunities to grow, learn, and explore the world have been life-changing, and I can’t wait to share them with others. 

Go Pack!