On Monday, March 3, 2025, Jacob Yee ‘21 spoke with students in Mrs. Rebecca Mulroony’s engineering class, about the world of electrical engineering. 

Now in his final year at Kettering University, Yee is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Alongside his studies, he works as an Integration Engineer at McNaughton-McKay Electric Company, specializing in drives, motion, and mechanical power electronics.

During his presentation, Yee took students through his academic and career journey, explaining how Kettering’s co-op program allowed him to gain 2.5 years of real-world experience before even graduating. He emphasized the value of hands-on learning, internships, and problem-solving skills in preparing for a successful engineering career.

Bringing engineering concepts to life, Yee performed live demonstrations and passed around motor controllers—technology he works with regularly. He explained how power electronics, automation, and control systems serve as the "brains" behind industrial operations, helping industries like automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing run efficiently.

Yee also shared highlights from his capstone and thesis projects, which include work on autonomous vehicles, wireless charging, and dynamometer technology. He provided a glimpse into his work at McNaughton-McKay, showing how the company helps businesses optimize automation processes with modern engineering solutions.

Beyond technical knowledge, Yee offered practical advice to students considering engineering careers. He stressed the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and taking advantage of every opportunity to learn - whether in the classroom, through internships, or in real-world experiences.

He concluded the presentation by answering questions from students about going to college for engineering. “Whatever field you’re in, get an internship. If you can’t get one, get a mentor. You need to have something to show that you can manage a project and see it to its end,” Yee stated.