Indiana student worker of the year is looking at job options

Purdue University Calumet electrical engineering technology student Amy Smith of Gary displays a "teach box" in the university's electronics shop. Smith repaired and improved several "teach boxes" which are used to introduce students to microcomputers and microcontrollers through programming.

As the Indiana student worker of the year, Purdue University Calumet's Amy Smith is keeping her job options open.

She received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technology at Purdue University Calumet Commencement Exercises, May 22, at the Radisson Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

The 22-year-old Gary resident and Hammond native recently was named Indiana student worker of the year by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators.

She has been offered a process control engineer position with a local steel company and a paid internship with Spectral Data at the Purdue Technology Center, a Merrillville-based business incubator.

But Smith said, "I'm keeping my options open for employment."

As a full time student, she received numerous academic awards, was active in various student organizations and worked approximately 16 hours per week as the lead lab technician in Purdue Calumet's electronics shop. The shop serves Purdue Calumet's academic Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technologies and Department of Engineering.

"The employer that is fortunate enough to hire her will have an exceptionally talented employee who will most definitely be a major asset to the company," Purdue Calumet Electronics Supervisor Ben Marrero said. "I have worked in a supervisory/management position for over 15 years, and I cannot remember an employee as dedicated, efficient, highly motivated, prompt, determined and eager to learn as Amy."

According to Smith, her work in the electronics shop helped her apply what she has learned in the classroom.

"I learned real world things," she said. "It was very enlightening. I learned a lot in the classroom, but in the shop I gained confidence and applied what I learned.

Among her many responsibilities, including maintaining equipment used in laboratories, was supervising other student workers.

"I tried to create a role model, guide the other student workers through projects and keep motivation up," Smith said. "It makes a big difference by being a worker/supervisor, because I'm working with them side-by-side."

"Said Marrero, "She has no problem instructing the other student workers. They all like her and, most importantly, respect her."

According to Marrero, Smith tackles assignments enthusiastically from difficult technical problems to routine cleaning.

"I have assigned complex circuit analysis projects to her, and she not only finds the problem but will also find a way to improve on the circuit, suggesting modifications to improve the efficiency of the electrical project," Marrero said. "Even if I assign her to clean up, she will pull out a mop and bucket when others bring out a dust rag."