LIFE OF AN ENGINEERING STUDENT
Life for the two-year Engineering
Technology student starts with his
acceptance at P enn State University.
He is required to take placement tests
and a physical examination. If the
student passes his physical, he is
admitted as a student. All of these
things take place in the summer months
before Penn State begins classes.
The first week of college is called
Orientation Week, during which all
students become acquainted with the
operation of Penn State, his fellow stu
dents, advisors, and instructors. The
purpose of the advisor is to help the
student with any questions and problems
he may have. Books and supplies are
also bought during Orientation Week.
The following week marks the beginning
of classes. Students sometimes miss
their first class because they cannot
find the room they are supposed to be
in. Generally, this confusion only
lasts a short time, because the stray
students receive directions from fellow
classmates. Classes last for fifteen
weeks, terminated with final examinations.
A short vacation separates the first
and second semesters which, I might add,
is appreciated by both'the students and
faculty alike.
After the short vacation, classes
resume with new books, supplies, subjects,
and instructors. Possibly the only
difficulty encountered is that of
getting used to a new and different
schedule of classes. As with the first
semester, the second semester lasts for
fifteen weeks. Exams are given during
the last week, and all two-year Electrical
Technology students who pass the pre
requisite subject, go to the main campus
for a three-week course in D.C. Motors and
Machines.
Life at the main campus during these
three weeks is hectic. The student is
required to prepare a lab report every
night for the three weeks. Tests are
given at the end of each week, with a
final exam at the end of the third week.
Although these three weeks are set at a
demanding pace, any student who attended
these three weeks would do it over
again voluntarily if he were asked. This
attitude is something which can simply be
attributed to the fact that, although the
pace was hectic, the students found it a
valuable experience.
Students who pass the three-week course
at University Park are then ready to
re-enter Penn State in the fall for the
third and fourth semesters. Although
the work and courses become more difficult,
the students somehow manage to survive,
however, and go on to graduate.
During the fourth semester, students plan
for the time when they will graduate
and get a job. They are aided by the job
placement program service here. This
service is now under the direction of
Mr. McKinstry and Mr. Kidd who are doing
an excellent job.
Although the two-year Electrical
Technology program is a lot of work, there
are times when the student can enjoy
himself also. The Union Building is equipped
with ping-pong tables, chess and card
tables, shuffle board, and a lounge. Many
extra-curricular clubs have been organ
ized for the students. Some of these
are Belles-Lettres Society, the Business
and Economic Club, and the Photography
Club. Also, there is the Parnassus Honor
Society.
The life of the Penn State student in the
two-year Electrical Technology program
can be fruitful if the student wants it
to be. All the student has to do is
apply himself and make the best use of the
time he will spend during the two years
he is at Penn State.
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There will be a Reading and Study
Improvement Course held at Highacres this
summer from June 26 through August 7, 1961
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Walter Andreas