BlackboardBradley Wells
Bradley Wells grew up about an hour west of Tallahassee so it is not surprising that the one thing that really attracted him to the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is the small campus atmosphere. Wells' experiences since, justified his choice of engineering institutions. "The College," Wells asserts, "is diverse, the education is top-notch and research is thriving, yet the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering still harbors an environment where students can develop a real relationship with both their peers and their professors. It's really remarkable."
Wells chose to pursue an engineering degree because he recognized there is a strong need for talent in the technical disciplines. He says, "I enjoy mathematics so engineering, particularly electrical engineering, is a good fit for me."
Wells' favorite area of electrical engineering is in automatic controls systems. "You're analyzing and designing a system where you can use electrical engineering to complete a task that humans would otherwise do, " enthuses Wells. "Cruise control in your car is a simple example. The mathematics involved in the analysis is intriguing to me and the end results are very rewarding."
According to Wells, pursuing any engineering degree is a challenge in itself. He adds, "I'd have to say my greatest challenge, because I'm married, is spending quality time with my wife and performing well in school; both are very important to me. So balancing family and school is my greatest challenge."
It's not all work. When not studying, Wells enjoys spending time with this wife and their two Yorkshire terriers. He and his wife enjoy outdoor activities typical to the Panhandle, such as basketball, beach volleyball, swimming, and kayaking.
Wells stays involved in his community by being an active member of his church. "In 2008, recounts Wells, "I traveled to Port-au-Prince, Haiti on a mission trip, where we taught Bible stories to children at an orphanage and also performed some construction work to improve their facilities." Wells and his wife hope to return to Senegal, Africa, in the fall of 2011, on an evangelical mission trip.
Wells feels that Tallahassee is a great place for engineers to find work. "In five years," he confides, "I hope to be established in the workforce here in Tallahassee."
Wells believes that through diligence and his eagerness to learn he will prove that he can handle additional responsibilities in his current position. His confidence stems from on-the-job training he receives from his internship with a local engineering firm. "Because of the skills I have developed and continue to develop in school, I was presented with an opportunity that complements my formal engineering education with workforce training." Wells adds, "I'm getting to know more about the intricate details of being a working engineer, even down to the paperwork and the design and analysis."
