Alumni Profile

Phil Schneider

Engineering can be applied to any job and it will make you that much more valuable. My engineering degree isn't about the math I learned in calculus, but the way of thinking that was developed and the accolades associated with getting such a tough degree. Would do it over in a heart beat."

Where I've Been

Cities

  • Buffalo, NY

Organizations

  • ACV Auctions
  • QUALCOMM

Positions

  • Research Engineer

What I've Done

What types of work have you performed? What projects have you worked on?
Research and development projects. I worked on the Samsung S10 fingerprint sensor, developed a new wearable healthcare sensor, and now work at a startup developing new sensor technologies for the automotive industry.

What have been some favorite aspects of your work?
Pushing the envelope of technology and creating things and your average person has no concept about.

What was one of your most satisfying days as an engineer?
The day my first patent got issued and my first real paycheck after college.

Was it worth it? What has your engineering background made possible for you? What value has it added to your overall life?
Engineering can be applied to any job and it will make you that much more valuable. My engineering degree isn't about the math I learned in calculus, but the way of thinking that was developed and the accolades associated with getting such a tough degree. Would do it over in a heart beat.

Why it Matters

What would you say to the first-year students currently sitting in your shoes?
I remember thinking, $#%! my turbine is due tomorrow and it doesn't work, my one group mate is on another planet half the time, and I got a 46% on my first quiz. But you know what, it worked out and in the grand scheme of things I had a lot of fun in the course.