The Bridge - Issue 3, 2019 - 24

Professional Profile

Conference News

CONFERENCE SPONSOR

How has Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) impacted your
life? Your career?
HKN has been the conduit that has connected my
passions for using my skills to benefit humanity and
help people and communities around the world. It has
kept me educated in the latest technologies and has
opened many opportunities in unique and impactful
projects. The biggest impact is meeting other HKN
volunteers, especially students, and watching their
careers grow and flourish.

Dr. Karen Panetta
Epsilon Delta
IEEE-HKN President
Dr. Panetta is the Dean of Graduate Education for the
School of Engineering at Tufts University. She is also
a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
and Adjunct Professor of Computer Science and
Mechanical Engineering. She earned her BS in
Computer Engineering at Boston University, and
her MS and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering
from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Before
joining the faculty at Tufts, Dr. Panetta was a Principal
Engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation. She has
been recognized with numerous awards for teaching
and mentoring, including the NSF PAESMEM Award,
which was presented to her by U.S. President Barack
Obama at the White House.

What inspired you to choose the engineering field?
My father wanted me to be an engineer, because he
saw I had an aptitude for math and science. He also
wanted me to have a career that provided financial
stability and independence.
What do you love about engineering?
Engineering can be applicable to every field and
discipline and can help solve every problem. People
imagine and dream of ideas that seem like science
fiction, yet, we can make the fiction a reality.
Whom do you admire and why?
I have always admired fictional characters that helped
me to stay innovative and keep my strength to believe
in my abilities. I call them the first ladies of "magic."
Jeannie from "I Dream of Jeannie," portrayed by Barbara
Eden; Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter"
series, portrayed by Emma Watson in the movies; and
Samantha from "Bewitched," portrayed by Elizabeth
Montgomery. I loved magic and wanted to make
magical things happen with my engineering skills, even
though others may laugh at us and try to make us hide
our power.
In your opinion, what has been the greatest change
in engineering since you were a student?
The Internet! Information at your fingertips, access to
people around the world and engaging information
dissemination.
I wish I had known...
That taking risks and trying new ventures was a great
thing to do and I didn't need to take conventional jobs.
Best advice for new graduates...
Find good mentors and become a mentor for
someone else.
From your perspective, what's the next BIG
advance in engineering?
Deep space exploration and asteroid mining for
new resources.

THE BRIDGE

Inspire and Be Inspired by
HKN Students at the 2019
Student Leadership Conference
Join us at Tufts University in Massachusetts,
USA from 1-3 November for the 2019 Student
Leadership Conference. Hands-on workshops, career
and professional development sessions, an awards
dinner overlooking Boston Harbor and a human
levitation device will be part of the program.
IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu has a special rate for alumni and guests
who wish to join us and meet tomorrow's engineering leaders:
* US$75 per person for the conference
* US$75 per person for dinner OR
* US$150 per person for the dinner and conference
If you are unable to attend the conference or dinner but wish to
support our students, you may underwrite the cost of a student's
attendance or consider sponsorship opportunities. To donate to
the IEEE-HKN Student Leadership Conference Fund, click this link
and choose this fund from the dropdown menu. For a list
of sponsorship opportunities, review our prospectus or
contact info@hkn.org for more information.

CONFERENCE PARTNER

HKN.ORG

25

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The Bridge - Issue 3, 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Bridge - Issue 3, 2019