Luke Post: Outstanding senior in electrical engineering

Clubs and activities

I was involved in Salt Company, Beta Sigma Psi Fraternity, and Triathlon Club.

Valuable hands-on learning in class

Senior Design was the most impactful for me because I got to apply a little bit of everything that I had learned over the course of my college career. I got a closer look at how industry projects are run and had enough time to make iterations and improvements to the final design. One of the most valuable aspects of the project was being able to work with a customer to meet his needs and actually develop a real product that could be used.

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

My internship at NASA showed me what it looked like to do research full-time and ultimately led to my decision to pursue a Ph.D. I learned how to perform cutting-edge research and write an industry standard research paper. It also gave me connections with several research scientists that are already working in the industry that I desire to be in once I graduate.

Most influential mentor

Dr. Mohammad al Qaseer got me interested in research in the first place through my work at the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation. He mentored me through those early stages when I did not know anything about the lab and had not participated in research before and helped me get my internship at NASA.

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

I think my greatest accomplishment has just been seeing myself grow as a person over these last four years. I entered college incredibly shy and not knowing what I wanted to do with my life exactly and now I have seen my soft skills grow an incredible amount which has helped me to make connections and find the direction I want to go with my career.

Plans after graduation

After graduation, I plan to continue at Iowa State University to get my Ph.D. in electrical engineering.

A memorable moment of kindness

When I first started at the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, I often had no idea what I was doing and was too afraid to go to the main professor with every question, but I was able to go to a Ph.D. student who helped me so many times. Trent Moritz was always willing to help me and mentor me when I was struggling and that has made me desire to do the same thing for other undergraduates that come through the CNDE while I am a Ph.D. student. I hope to be able to help them like Trent helped me.

Making my mark on the world

My goal as an engineer is to utilize the skills I have gained at Iowa State and will continue to improve throughout my Ph.D. to perform cutting edge research that will help the world thrive. I also hope to be able to inspire the next generation of kids to become engineers and researchers to have a goal of benefitting humanity, not necessarily themselves. Finally, I hope to be able to use my unique experiences to spread God’s word to places that are not generally reached.

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

What I have found awesome about being a Cyclone Engineer is the opportunities that I have had because of it and being able to work at the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, trying to solve real-world problems and getting to work closely with professors and other students.

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

I would tell myself that I would be so grateful for the experiences I will get at Iowa State and wouldn’t want it any other way. Iowa State is the place that will feel like home and the place where I will meet my closest friends.

Most inspiring location on campus

I feel particularly inspired when I am in the lawn between Curtis and Beardshear. I love being outdoors and nature, and Iowa State has one of the most beautiful and green campuses that I have seen.