Selso盖乐葛斯
After finding success at Intel, Mechanical Engineer returns to U of I to pursue Master’s Degree
University of Idaho student Selso盖乐葛斯 has always had a passion for math and science. Combined with his enjoyment for taking things apart and putting them back together, his mechanical engineering journey began in fall 2013.
But he felt there was a missing piece going into the beginning of his studies: confidence. Reflecting on his undergraduate career now as a graduate student, he said he credits his success and growth to many resources, including the College Assistance Migrant Program (营), 职业服务, 还有他的教授和导师.
“Going through it (undergraduate degree), I gained skills that I needed,” Gallegos said. “I was gaining confidence that I could be successful in this field.”
Recognized as the male candidate for 营 Student of the Year his first year 和 College of Engineering Outstanding Senior in spring 2017, 他把这归功于自己稳定的职业道德, self-discipline and passion for challenges.
He said his support from 营 played a huge role in earning these successes, 不仅仅是大一的时候, but throughout his entire college career.
营 is a federal grant program that assists first year students from migrant and farm-working backgrounds. 营总监, 埃维莉娜Arevalos-Martinez, said the program assists students academically and financially, while providing social and cultural support.
“During Gallegos’s involvement in 营, he was recognized as Student of the Year due to his academic excellence, 他对学习的执着, his involvement with his cohort 和 program, and his all-around respectful and humble attitude,阿雷瓦洛斯-马丁内斯说.
快到大四了, Gallegos felt graduation rapidly approaching and set his sights on obtaining his first full-time job. As he focused on post-graduate opportunities, he found additional support from resources beyond 营, 主要就业服务.
通过就业服务, Gallegos received one-on-one feedback on his resume with an advisor, attended valuable networking opportunities such as 破坏者社交之夜 和 招聘会, and performed a mock interview to hone his interviewing skills and professionalism for his future employment opportunities.
“Everyone should use 职业服务, they are super helpful,” Gallegos said. “All of the resources they have are really practical, 和y teach you how to use them well.”
毕业后不久, 他离开了爱达荷州, 一个他出生和长大的地方, to begin his career at Intel as a Supply Chain Engineer in Chandler, 亚利桑那州. All his hard work and collaboration with 职业服务 paid off to find a job he loved, and one that allowed him to utilize the skills and experiences he developed at U of I.
After one-and-a-half years of success at Intel, he decided to take time off to pursue a master’s degree as a full-time student and could not imagine receiving a better education than that of his alma mater.
“I always had the goal of getting a master’s degree,” Gallegos said. “I contemplated taking courses at 亚利桑那州 State University while still working at Intel, but I love U of I and wanted to conduct research and give back in some way. I am really considering going back to Intel after graduation.”
Gallegos returned to U of I in January 2019 to earn his Master of Science in Engineering. 一个2-3年的项目, Gallegos said he plans to earn his graduate degree in about one-and-a-half years with the help of summer courses and working on his thesis under the mentorship of his advisor.
One of Gallegos’s greatest passions is his ability to give back, and he has done so by tutoring students both in 营 and being a mentor to others within the 工程部门.
He said he is grateful for what the university has done for him, and he looks forward to being a proud U of I alum for years to come.
“It’s a part of me that I will have forever.”