Recent UHart grad Erin Sussmann double majored in electrical engineering and computer science through the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture (CETA) and the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S). She is now working as a software engineer in Target’s Technology Leadership Program. Through this opportunity, she will be rotating through different departments within Target’s Technology Services before being placed in a permanent position. As an aspiring female engineer, connections to industry organizations and much hard work helped Erin land a great professional position before graduation.
The opportunity with Target came from involvement with and connections to the Society of Women Engineers’ National Conference. The University of Hartford funded Erin’s attendance at the conference, and while she was there, she says she was “able to interview with a few different companies. However, Target really impressed me with their values and company culture, and I was able to visit their headquarters for a final interview. I received my offer letter a few weeks later!” She adds that she is thankful that UHart funded her attendance at the conference in support of female engineering majors. Additionally, she says that “when I had to miss class for the trip for the final interview, my professors were incredibly supportive!”
Working closely with her professors was part of Erin’s success as a double major. “Given my unique degree situation,” she says, “I had a lot of support from several different areas in order to succeed. Specifically, Dr. Rosiene from the Computer Science Department, Dr. Yu and Dr. Mellodge from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and the Dean of CETA, Dr. Alnajjar, have all been incredible resources in my four years at UHart!”
Aside from the technical skills she gained at UHart, Erin’s double majors taught her to work to solve very complex problems within a team. She says of this hard work, “both of my majors worked to build my problem-solving skills, and both programs put a heavy emphasis on teamwork. These are skills I started using immediately when I started working at Target!”
According to Erin, she “loved UHart” and the experiences she had during her time there. She thought the support system at the University was “incredible” and she was able to take advantage of opportunities as a female in engineering. Erin says that “would not have been available to her if it weren't’t for support from the faculty and staff!”
Erin says that the people she met during her time at UHart helped her succeed as a double major. She says, “everyone from professors and deans, to the friends I met in my class and clubs. Everyone at UHart helped me get to where I am, and I’m so thankful to them.”
When asked what advice she would give incoming students, Erin encourages new students to get involved in clubs and organizations. As a student, she was highly involved herself, as a member of UHart’s Student Television Network, Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Society of Leadership and Success, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She believes “finding different organizations filled with people who are interested in the same thing as you is so important! Clubs can be great resources for information on jobs, conferences, or just for fun!” Hard work and her connections through organizations certainly paid off for Erin. We wish her luck as she begins her career at Target.
Erin Sussmann '20, Electrical Engineering and Computer ScienceI loved UHart! The support system at UHart is incredible, and I was able to take advantage of several opportunities that wouldn’t have been available to me if it weren’t for support from the faculty and staff!