“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Abraham Lincoln
Completing my BSc in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria was the foundation of a lifelong dream. As a recipient of the 2014 edition of the prestigious NLNG/BW Scholarship for education and training, I was able to commence my tenure as an Electrical Systems Engineer, first with BW Gas AS, a company in Nigeria, and then later with Teras Offshore Pte Ltd in Singapore.
The experience was like a nautical adventure, with each wave bringing new challenges, teaching me resilience and adaptability, qualities that are the lifeblood of a robust engineering mindset.
Arriving in Texas and beginning my MS in Electrical Engineering at Prairie View A&M University was like opening a new chapter in a thrilling novel. I had long held a fascination for Electronics VLSI and ULSI design and Computer Architecture, so naturally, I opted for the Computer Engineering track. Courses in Deep Learning, Statistical Learning for Big Data, and Advanced Computer System Design filled my days, and my research interests mostly centered around artificial intelligence hardware optimization.
My internships with Intel Corp at its Austin, Texas, and Chandler, Arizona, sites were not only lessons in innovation, efficiency, and quality but also journeys into uncharted territories. Each task presented itself as a new challenge, a puzzle never tackled before, pushing me into the depths of pre-silicon and post-silicon validation engineering. The milestones achieved shaped my understanding of my field, honing my problem-solving skills and enhancing my adaptability in a constantly evolving environment.
In this academic voyage, the guidance and mentorship of my professors: my Project Advisor Dr. Sarhan Musa, Graduate Student Coordinator Dr. Richard Wilkins, Head of Department Dr. Annamalai Annamalai, and Dean Dr. Pamela Obiomon, have been invaluable. Their wisdom, encouragement, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped my intellectual growth and professional development. They did not merely teach; they inspired, challenged, and opened doors to opportunities I had never dreamed possible.
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I cannot overlook the unwavering support of my family. Their faith in me, their encouragement during challenging times, and their celebration of my achievements have been my constant anchor.
Kayode Jason Inadagbo
As I stand on the brink of graduation, I ponder the tapestry woven with threads of inspiration, determination, failure, success, and constant growth. My membership in professional organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and the Association of Computing Machinery helped foster a sense of community and a commitment to lifelong learning. The tools and skills I’ve honed are part of a toolbox I will carry throughout my life, continually adding to and refining.
My journey through my career and my master’s degree program has led me to a future full of promise and a field that continues to challenge and inspire me every day.
“Success is not in what you have, but who you are.” – Bo Bennett
Kayode Jason Inadagbo will graduate from Prairie View A&M University this summer with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. Click here to view more of this semester’s notable graduates.