Shawn Hymel

A 2006 computer engineering grad, Shawn is a technology marketing strategist, advisor and content creator who likes the title "Engineering Superhero." He fights for engineering justice in the Big Easy, New Orleans, LA.

In this section

IN THIS SECTION

HOW DID ROSE-HULMAN PREPARE YOU FOR WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

Rose does not claim to be an easy school. To succeed, you need to adopt a rigorous work ethic where homework, projects, and studying come before all else. This work ethic ultimately carries over into your personal career, and people who know the Rose-Hulman name associate it with hard work.

WHAT PROFESSOR MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU?

Dr. Elton Graves was my first professor at Rose during the Fast Track Calculus program. His exuberance and pension for analogies made calculus fun and approachable. While Fast Track Calculus was a difficult five-week ride, Dr. Graves’s friendliness and willingness to work individually with us set a wonderful tone for the rest of my time at Rose-Hulman. He had an unmatched passion for his work and was loved by his students. May he rest in peace.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE/LASTING MEMORY FROM ROSE?

During my senior year, my three roommates and I moved our beds together in one room of an Apartment Res suite and put all the desks together in the other room. This setup ensured we could have a continuous LAN party (once classes and homework were finished, of course). We built custom desks to hold second computers and monitors. There were no less than 6 computers running in that room at any given time, which meant a substantial temperature increase from the rest of the apartment.

WHAT IS THE NERDIEST THING YOU DO?

I get paid to play with Lego bricks. I find that Legos are an incredibly useful medium for fast prototyping physical objects or making demos for videos.

WHAT IS THE BEST-KEPT SECRET AT ROSE?

The name “Rose-Hulman” is still somewhat of a mystery to many Americans. However, for those that do recognize the name, it carries just as much respect as MIT or Caltech for being a prestigious engineering school. After graduation, the alumni watch out for each other. It feels as if you were part of an elite fraternity or sorority, even if you never joined the Greek life!

ADVICE FOR NEW ROSE-HULMAN STUDENTS

Professors are required to keep a large number of office hours to assist students. Use that! You are not alone during your time at Rose, and you have nothing to prove by trying to conquer everything on your own. If you find yourself struggling, your best course of action is to ask for help.