Hope Rizzo: Outstanding senior in electrical engineering

Clubs and activities

Iowa State Varsity Marching Band, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Solar Car 

Valuable hands-on learning in class

Due to the impact it has had throughout the rest of my college experience, the opportunity that was most valuable was my project in EE 1860 (Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Problem Solving II). My partner and I designed a Dance Dance Revolution board, which was both very fun and pushed us out of our comfort zones of what we had learned thus far in class.  

The support provided throughout the class allowed me to get the most out of my project and encouraged my interest in electrical engineering as I was able to explore something I was already interested in through an engineering perspective. It also opened a pathway early on in my major to gain experience in a project that in part helped me get my first internship. 

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

The out-of-the classroom experiences that were most valuable to me were my internships with John Deere, where I gained real project experience and meaningful experience working on a team. I had one major project during the summer, which I presented at the end of the internship. My mentors throughout the experience were wonderful and allowed me to find the direction I wanted to take with my career, which was in part how I decided to pursue a master’s degree. 

Most influential mentor

Dr. Mani Mina was the mentor who was the most influential to me. When I came into electrical engineering as a freshman, I had doubts on if I should continue with this major, but his passion inspired me to keep pushing myself. When I was a peer mentor for him for EE 1850 (Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Problem-Solving I) he encouraged me to think more deeply about everything I do, which has greatly impacted the way I approach problems and learning. 

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My best memory at Iowa State would have to be traveling to the Pop-Tarts Bowl as part of the marching band. It was an amazing experience to see a major victory with everyone in the band and be able to march on the field during halftime. We also spent time at Universal, and being able to enjoy that experience after such an amazing season is something I will remember for the rest of my life. 

Plans after graduation

After graduation I plan to continue my education and pursue a master of science in electrical engineering with a focus on analog VSLI at Iowa State. Additionally, this summer I will be interning for IBM. During my internship I will be working on a quantum controls and analog design focused team. 

A memorable moment of kindness

One person who has helped me numerous times throughout my experience at Iowa State is Wei Shen, who has been somewhat of a mentor to me. Last year, I had taken on a bit too much and was having issues balancing responsibilities. Him checking in on me and ensuring there was flexibility with my busy schedule allowed me to get back on top of everything I needed to do, which set me up for success for the rest of the semester and beyond. 

Persevering through challenging times

Quite honestly, there have been many instances where I have doubted choosing engineering, even this past year. One particular moment was during sophomore year spring semester, when I came to a point in my classes where I wasn’t entirely sure I enjoyed what I was doing. Two of the classes I did not understand the content of, and I was struggling to stay afloat, to the point where I would be barely submitting assignments on time. In that moment, it was my friends who helped me persevere, as they made sure I understood the material and studied together. 

Your major in your own words

Upon their first glance at electrical engineering, many people see it as simply “circuits” or “power.” In reality, it has become such a broad subject that it encompasses much more than that. As the field gets pushed farther and farther, electrical engineering can mean working with devices on the micro and even nanoscopic scale with semiconductors and VLSI, which is what I plan to focus in, to city-wide power grids, and everything in-between. However, at its core it is applied math and critical thinking to find and improve solutions to problems. 

Making my mark on the world

As an engineer I hope to inspire others, especially those who are just starting an interest in engineering. When I was much younger and first learning about engineering, I had many great mentors who inspired me to learn and take interest in the subject. Without them I would not have made it this far, and I hope to pass that opportunity to other people. I had the opportunity to volunteer as part of a STEM camp, and seeing the joy at creating something affirmed my desire to ensure that future students are able to develop their interest in the field. 

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

I think the best thing about the Iowa State engineering experience is how much hands-on experience is encouraged. There are so many ways to get involved and learn more about what you are doing in class practically. The labs themselves for class have been a great learning experience, and different engineering clubs around campus, such as the Solar Car and ChipForge clubs, both of which allow hands-on experience in different fields. Through the Solar Car club I was able to gain practical experience through designing a board very early on. Beyond that, there are many project classes, including the required senior design, which can greatly help set you up for success. 

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

I would tell my younger self that by choosing Iowa State I have made lifelong friends and memories. I have been able to have so many unique opportunities, such as participating in the music department and studying abroad in Japan. Through my experience studying abroad I have been able to meet so many amazing people and experience a different culture. By choosing Iowa State I have become a well-rounded engineer, prepared to step out into the world. 

Most inspiring location on campus

Throughout my time at Iowa State I have found different places that I would frequent to study and work on homework, such as the Student Innovation Center or the second floor of the library. These past two years, however, I have found myself spending more and more time in the Transformative Learning Area, the large study area within Coover. It is a nice space with plenty of resources to complete assignments, especially as an electrical engineer, but the main reason I find it inspiring is that I can usually find a friend or classmate who I can collaborate on projects with.