Since
graduating
from
BW
last
spring,
physics
major
Austin
Conn
'18
has
focused
on
his
career
path
with
precision
as
intense
as
the
lasers
he
investigates
as
part
of
the
innovative
Master's
Industrial
Internship
Program
(MIIP)
at
the
University
of
Oregon.
Conn is interning as an applications engineer at Electro Scientific Industries (ESI) while simultaneously earning his Master of Science in Applied Physics with a focus in optical materials and devices.
Conn's current work involves investigation of a range of lasers in order to determine the instruments' speed and quality. This invaluable real-world experience propels Conn toward his career goals, which include designing new lasers and exploring proton particle beam therapy for cancer patients.
Conn
says
his
undergraduate
research
work
in
system
design
and
construction,
guided
by
BW
physics
professor
Paul
Penko,
has
a
direct
correlation
to
his
current
lab
work
and
experiment
design.
"Creating and executing experiments is now a part of my daily activities. The research with professor Penko allowed me to gain exposure to processes which are now an integral part of my work."
Conn believes the preparation he received at BW led to his graduate school acceptance and has laid a firm foundation for future success.
"I am grateful that [BW physics chair] Dr. Ed Meyer constantly challenged me to think critically and develop my problem-solving abilities. He helped completely shift my way of thinking and taught me to approach situations from a variety of perspectives. When I face difficult problems now, I often draw on strategies I learned from Dr. Meyer. This has made me much more effective in my work."
"BW helped cultivate my desire to continuously solve new and challenging problems," he added. "This will drive me to continue overcoming obstacles and will help me to fulfill BW's mission as I serve as a contributing citizen throughout life."
