Amna Hayat

I first learned about the Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program offered by the University of Maryland, College Park’s A. James Clark School of Engineering at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) when I was obtaining my associates degree at Montgomery College (MC) in General Studies with a STEM focus. The various computer science and engineering courses I took at MC are what initially sparked my interest in pursuing a degree that combined different branches of engineering.

One of the reasons I was interested in completing my courses on the USG campus was because of the smaller class sizes, which have enabled me to ask more questions during lectures and receive better feedback from my professors. The CPSE program involves completing interesting projects, many of which include working closely with microcontrollers and learning how to code in various languages. I work closely with my professors and teaching assistants to learn how to use new tools and equipment to refine my skills as an engineering student.

There are many different clubs and activities on campus. I am excited to be part of the CTRL+AI club and look forward to seeing how this club will expand my knowledge and help boost my personal and academic growth. Outside of clubs, I enjoy attending USG’s social events, which help students like me to meet new people and network not only in our own fields, but also outside our fields, since the USG campus brings together students from nine Maryland universities in various majors.

After I graduate in the Spring of 2024, I plan to pursue a career in hardware or software development. And after I gain some fieldwork experience, I plan to return to school to expand my knowledge and expertise in machine learning and artificial intelligence.