Jared Becksfort, Electrical & Computer Engineering

Degrees
BS ('99)
MS ('06)
PhD ('20)

Current Residence
Germantown, Tennessee

Current Employer
St. Jude 

What influenced your decision to attend Herff College of Engineering?
I became interested in physics and computer science in my late teens, and computer and electrical engineering seemed like an efficient way to combine the two into a productive career.

How did Herff prepare you for your career?
I use programming, system design, and probability theory daily.  I was also helped by professors not cutting me any slack or being impressed by subpar work at all.

What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you found most helpful in your career?
Random signals should be taught to everyone in the world regardless of major.  Probability theory is critical to understanding the modern world.  I liked all the programming classes.  I ended up not using the electronics courses very much, but I liked them.

Who was your most impactful professor? Why?
I would say that the late Dr. Dailey was probably the most influential, which is sort of a surprise to me because I would not have said that at the time I graduated.  He was very much about getting the answer right.  If you did not get it right, you needed to put in more effort, as simple as that.  I think this was good for me to be exposed to at that age.  At the time I graduated, I would have said that the now late Dr. Halford, who was my advisor during my master's studies.  He was a great professor, and contacts I made through him and projects of his that I worked on influenced my life in surprising ways later.

What support(s) did you have during your time as a college student? How did you keep focused on the goal?
I don't recall having any formal or organized support.  I did work with other students in study groups.

What was your greatest memory from your time at Herff?
I was in my late teens and early 20's in college.  It was great for reasons I probably cannot put into print.  During graduate school, though, I was impressed by the rigor of the courses.  It was a major step up from undergraduate work.

What advice would you give those considering enrolling in Herff College of Engineering?
Engineering is a very good choice for an undergraduate or graduate degree.  There is almost no field in which an engineering degree will not help you get your foot in the door.  If you understand the basics of your chosen engineering specialty, you will see the world in a more interesting way.  You better be ready to work, though.

What do you know now that you wish you had known during your time at Herff?
That you really need to get the basics down quickly.  In the first few semesters, I learned just enough for the test, but that results in a knowledge deficit over time that makes the more advanced courses much more difficult.

Was your Herff experience worth the price? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
Yes, definitely.  I had a scholarship!  Even if I had not, I think Memphis is a very affordable school and the engineering program is very good.  So, even with the extra fees for engineering, it has a lot of value.