Alumni Stories

If you are a new or prospective graduate student, do you know what to expect from your Michigan Tech experience? Are you curious about where our alumni have found employment? Do you want tips to help you make the most of your education? Read what our alumni have to say about these topics—and more.

Maruthi Devarakonda

Maruthi Devarakonda

BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2000—Nagarjuna University
MS in Mechanical Engineering, 2003—University of Toledo
PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2008—Michigan Tech

Current position: Research Engineer for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington

After graduating with a PhD in early 2008, I joined the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) as a postdoctoral research fellow.


Jaclyn (Nesbitt) Johnson

Jaclyn (Nesbitt) Johnson

BA in Physics, 2006—Illinois Wesleyan University
MS in Mechanical Engineering, 2008—Michigan Tech
Graduate Certificate in Sustainability 2010—Michigan Tech
PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2011—Michigan Tech

Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher and Instructor, Michigan Tech Combustion Research Facility, Houghton, Michigan

An advanced degree, in turn, has opened up opportunities to stay in the Houghton area, which I love, doing postdoctoral research and teaching some courses—which is very rewarding!


Jill Blecke

Jill Blecke

BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2005—Michigan Tech
MS in Mechanical Engineering, 2010—Michigan Tech
PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2011—Michigan Tech

Current position: Researcher for Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico

When I look back over my graduate career—and really see all of the challenges I was able to overcome, how I have grown as a person, the knowledge I learned, and the researcher I have become—it is almost surreal.


Konstantin Bulgakov

Konstantin Bulgakov

BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2003—Michigan Tech
MS in Mechanical Engineering, 2006—Michigan Tech

Current position: Wind Turbine Drivetrain Test and Development Engineer for Clemson University Restoration Institute, Clemson, South Carolina

Don’t be afraid to try new things, no matter how unreal they might sound. Get exposure to companies in your area(s) of research. If possible, get a co-op/internship experience.


Yeliana

Yeliana

BS in Mechanical Engineering, 1996—Udayana University, Indonesia
MS in Mechanical Engineering, 2007— Michigan Tech
PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 2010—Michigan Tech

Current position: Postgraduate Intern for ESI Mindware, Farmington Hills, Michigan

My experience at Michigan Tech helped me to greatly improve my engineering, programming, and professional communication skills.