In fall semester of 2016, during my senior year of undergraduate study at Pennsylvania State University, I worked on a joint ceramic project between the university and GE Oil and Gas.

This invaluable research opportunity allowed me to study flexible lead zirconate titanate ultrasonic transducers for permanently installed sensors that monitor corrosion in petroleum pipelines. I worked full time as a co-op at the GE Oil and Gas plant in Lewistown, Pa.—located close to Penn State’s campus in University Park, Pa.—which allowed me to experience the best of industry and academia.