FOUNDATIONS
First-year students welcomed by alumnus
Engineering isn’t easy, Jake Hooks told first-year students at North Carolina State University in August. But if you’re persistent, all that hard work will pay off with a dynamic career.
“You may study longer than anyone else on campus,” Hooks said. “The benefit is that you will receive some of the most challenging and rewarding assignments when you graduate.”
Hooks, a 1978 NC State alumnus in materials engineering and president of the Automotive North America business of Eaton Corp., was the keynote speaker at the 11th annual College of Engineering Welcome event on Aug. 18.
About 1,000 first-year engineering students packed the McKimmon Center for the event, which was organized by the College’s First-Year Engineering Program. The program also runs new student orientation activities and guides students during their first year toward matriculation into an engineering department.
During his address, Hooks offered five life lessons that had their genesis at NC State: Surround yourself with smart people; develop an intellectual curiosity basis for lifelong learning; develop discipline and critical-thinking skills; show initiative; and develop the confidence to be a leader.
“An engineering degree from NC State will open many doors for you,” Hooks said. “It gave me the confidence to be a leader.” 