With a burning passion to work with electronics and be a continuous learner, Jack Fetkovich (’27) shares his experience in pursuing Computer Engineering and the extracurricular activities he has participated in. Read to learn about his journey so far and the future goals he has set for himself moving forward.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I was born on Long Island, New York before moving to Florida when I was very young. The year before starting high school, my family moved to Johnston County, North Carolina where we’ve lived since. I had the privilege of attending the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham where I was able to explore my passion for learning new topics, especially things related to math, science, and engineering. In my free time, I enjoy tinkering with computers and other electronics; I participated in competition robotics since my freshman year of high school. When I’m not 3D printing parts for some random project or fixing my forever-broken VIM configuration, you can find me sipping freshly brewed coffee, or, on occasion, honing my juggling skills.
What is your major and why did you pick it?
I am majoring in Computer Engineering. My fascination with electronics has been a part of me since childhood, and I’ve long known that I wanted to pursue a career in this field. Throughout middle and high school, I enjoyed computer programming, and for that reason applied to NC State with a Computer Science intent. However, the more I explored potential career options, I recognized that my aspirations would be better fulfilled by gaining insights into the lower-level operations of electronics, a facet not extensively covered in Computer Science. The Computer Engineering curriculum offered an ideal blend of Computer Science topics, like programming and data structures, with the more tangible topics typically only found in Electrical Engineering, like circuit design. I officially CODA last semester, and could not be happier with my decision.
Are there any extracurricular activities you are involved in?
I have taken the opportunity to get involved with a couple of different organizations on campus. The first is AquaPack, an underwater robotics team that competes in the RoboSub competition. In this club, we build underwater autonomous vehicles to complete a set of predefined tasks. I am a member of the electrical subteam, which focuses on the robot’s electrical components and low-level computing tasks.
Additionally, I am a proud member of the Iota Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity. Participating in this organization has allowed me to participate in numerous volunteer activities within the community, such as cleaning up parks, helping exchange students improve their English language skills, and ushering at a local theater. These experiences have not only allowed me to make a positive impact but have also introduced me to remarkable individuals, forming a supportive community during my first year at NC State.
What are some of your favorite things about the Goodnight Scholars program?
There are so many amazing aspects of the Goodnight Scholars program. It fosters an incredible community of people who constantly bring out the best in each other. The program is small enough that you can develop personal connections with other scholars, but large enough that you can constantly encounter new people. The abundance of scholars creates an environment where you not only have plenty of opportunities to meet them but also find them around every corner, cultivating a strong sense of community.
I also thoroughly enjoy Goodnight Scholars events. I have had the opportunity to attend on-campus events like plays and music performances, as well as engage in social activities with other scholars. Being a part of this program has allowed me to get involved on campus in ways that I otherwise would not have. I also have plans to get involved off-campus with the program; over Spring Break, I will be going on the NC Mountains to Coast service trip to share my passion for STEM with students across the state. I’m very grateful for the opportunities this program has afforded me and am thrilled to continue being a part of it throughout my college career.
What are your future career and life goals?
After finishing my undergraduate degree, I plan to obtain my master’s degree in Computer Engineering. This will help me to develop a deeper understanding of the technologies that I will use in my professional career. After college, I hope to work in the field of embedded systems engineering, which deals with computer systems that are inside of other devices. Beyond college and my career, my overarching life goal is to be a perpetual learner. I want to continue exploring my interests, learning about the world around me, and finding new ways to grow as an individual. I think being at NC State is helping me lay a strong foundation for my ambitions, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
- Categories:
