MATT ERFORD

While in high school, I faced the decision of what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I would attend college but I couldn’t decide in what I’d major. During my senior year, I joined the engineering team based on my success in both science and math. Even though the team was small and not well organized, I knew by the enjoyment I had attacking the problems put before us at the team competitions that engineering was the profession for me. I chose electrical engineering mainly because my father was an electrician, so I felt most comfortable with this field.

I heard about Tri-State University from my uncle who attended in the late 1980’s. He highly recommended the school not just by his experience but because of the reputation it had with employers, especially in the engineering fields. When I toured the campus, I was impressed with the idea of small class sizes and the high percentage of career placement following graduation. I decided after my first tour that Tri-State was the school for me.

Everyone was very accepting at Tri-State throughout my freshman year. It was a big jump from high school, and even though I started for the Thunder varsity baseball team that season, I decided to give up baseball in order to concentrate on school. I am a firm believer that both academics and sports can be balanced; however, due to the time commitments of each, it leaves little time during the week for anything else, which my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) didn’t appreciate the lack of attention. The professors were always understanding, patient, and always willing to assist me with any questions I had, and I never really had an uncomfortable freshman incident.

Through my college experience at Tri-State, I learned many skills. Many of which I learned in the classroom, but many others I learned simply through repeated experience such as: dealing with deadlines, speaking in public, organizational techniques, working in groups, leadership roles, and many other priceless abilities. This combination of skills is why Tri-State graduates continue to be attractive employees to many employers.

During my junior year, I made possibly the best decision of my collegiate tenure when I chose to apply for a co-op. I received a position at Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. in Findlay, OH. While working for Cooper, I was able to put to use the many skills I developed at Tri-State. I worked in North Carolina for several months on a machine installation along with several other projects. During this time, I was able to impress my employer enough that after I graduated college I was offered a job as a control design engineer in Cooper’s Research and Development department which I accepted.

Whenever I look back at Tri-State University and remember the personal relationships I shared with many of my classmates and professors and all of the great experiences, I realize that it was the perfect fit for me.