ECE Graduate Finds Immediate Success at Lockheed Martin

Austin Mivshek has taken full advantage of his education from the University of Wyoming. After earning a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering (2012), he went on to gain a master’s degree in electrical engineering (2013) and a master’s in business administration (MBA) in 2014.

His education helped him land a job shortly after graduation. Currently working as an electronics engineer for Lockheed Martin in Denver, he points to the importance of having a strong foundation of knowledge and communication skills, thanks to the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

“Engineers often work closely with the finance or accounting departments and have to present that type of information to management,” says Mivshek, who grew up in Rock Springs, Wyo. “Being an engineer who already had a good understanding of those accounting and operational concepts made it so that I could step right in and help with those tasks without any additional training.

"I chose UW for the great education at an affordable price. It afforded me the ability to come out of college with no debt while still being an attractive potential employee to lots of employers."

In the competitive marketplace of today’s landscape, demand is high for candidates educated in various segments of industry. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering can provide that background, thanks to diverse course offerings and opportunities to study in multiple areas such as power, electronics, robotics, control and signals.

Students who hold an engineering degree from UW set themselves apart from others when entering the competitive marketplace upon graduation, because they not only speak the technical language, but understand the overarching strategy and operational goals. Leveraging technical skills with understanding in other areas makes applicants incredibly competitive when entering the job market. UW students receive excellent classroom instruction, as well as a vast amount of hands-on experience with actual companies through real-world projects. An additional benefit is the networking opportunities students are able to leverage.

“At a minimum, employees need to be able to understand both sides so that they can have effective communication with finance, accounting and management,” Mivshek says. “But often the engineers need to be able to wear multiple hats and not only communicate, but work on tasks that are more than just engineering.

"The best part of the job is being a small piece of such a big and exciting project. It is exciting to be working on something that will send humans to space from the U.S. once again and eventually to Mars."