Student Spotlight: David Giffin

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David Giffin
Becoming a successful engineer in the working world usually requires more than a degree. Building up connections and getting involved in groups or clubs can strengthen the ability to land a dream career.

David Giffin, a fourth-year student of electrical and computer engineering (ECE) at The Ohio State University, took the extra step by serving as an Engineering Council Rep for the Ohio State Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), Gamma Chapter on campus.

"I wanted to join HKN because the idea of being part of a group connected to a prestigious organization like IEEE appealed to me," Giffin said.

HKN is the international ECE honor society of IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology. The on-campus group hosts speaker events, social gatherings and even tutors beginner ECE undergraduates for free.

Recently, Giffin was given the opportunity to represent HKN at an ECE Alumni Society meeting. Typically, his roles within HKN consists mostly of attending “E-council meetings” where Ohio State engineering and architecture students come together to discuss important topics like future events and funds.

Giffin said attending the alumni meeting was a nice change of pace. He learned how the board members fund their outreach projects, their future events for students, and how they coordinate scholarships.

"From the meeting, I learned where many of ECE's outreach events are planned, and that the people 'behind the curtain' care a lot about the students and their success," he said.

Apart from the technical work, Giffin said he enjoys the social events where he can sometimes connect with professors on a more professional level.

"I enjoy going to lunches with HKN, listening to the talks they provide during the lunches, and discussing them afterward with the members and any professors that show up," he said.

Giffin hopes to one day use his Ohio State ECE degree to help physically construct the technological future.

"I love building cool stuff, and my main interest lies in radar technologies," he said. "My goals after college include working with tech companies who work on cutting-edge technology."

Article by ECE Student PR Writer, Lydia Freudenberg