Who are "WE?" Get to know Jonathan Abate, fourth-year Electrical Engineering student

How long have you been affiliated with Western Engineering?
I am currently in my fourth year of electrical engineering here at Western.

Tell us about your SECOP experience.
I worked for JMP Engineering Inc. here in London as a co-op controls engineer. The job was great; I had a ton of fun and learned a lot as well. I worked on the automotive team, which was perfect timing as they were just preparing for the summer shutdown. I helped design numerous control systems and other electrical engineering projects. I also had the chance to supervise projects that occurred during the summer shutdown.

What is the first thing you would do if you were Dean of Western Engineering?
Honestly I cannot think of anything. Franco has done an excellent job.

What do you like most about Western Engineering?
The people. The engineering faculty here at Western is amazing. We have some really talented professors and the knowledge they have passed on will benefit me the rest of my life.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in engineering?
Find out everything there is to know about it and if it still sounds appealing, go for it. Engineering can be extremely demanding but if you’re really interested in it, you have to do it. Engineering is one of the few professions that you can be constantly challenged everyday.

On a typical day, what would we find in your lunch box?
What I would like to say is two fresh sandwiches, maybe some fruit, yogurt, and some carrots. However my lunch box usually consists of a Mr. Noodles or a microwave dinner and a bottle of water. I'm too lazy to make anything in the morning.

What is your favourite movie?
Simple: Super Troopers.

Which engineer (famous or not) do you respect the most?
Benjamin Franklin, one of the fathers of electrical engineering. Where would we be without this guy?

Tell us about your favorite spot on campus.
Spencer Engineering Building, room 3114 – The IEEE Office. I love that place.  I'm going to miss it when I leave. There’s nothing like being surrounded by tons of electronic junk.

How has Western Engineering changed since you’ve been involved with the Faculty?
The Thompson Engineering Building didn’t exist back when I was in my first-year. As well, I believe a lot of the first-year classes have changed. It seems there has been a huge emphasis placed on design which I think is great.

What is your most memorable moment at Western Engineering?
These past few days of fourth-year have been most memorable. All the big assignments are now done.  No more stress.  And, I received my Iron Ring. All I have to do now is just write something on those final exams and I am done.

What are you most proud of accomplishing over the past five years?
I'd have to say I'm proud of a couple things. The first one would have to be becoming IEEE Chair for Western. I love what I do and I am glad I had the opportunity to give back to the ECE community here at Western. Secondly, and probably most importantly, was choosing and successfully completing electrical engineering. It's been a tough four years, but I made it and now it's time to move on to even bigger things.

If there is someone in Western Engineering you would like to learn more about or if you would like to be profiled yourself, contact Allison Stevenson via email (astevenson@eng.uwo.ca), telephone (ext. 82917) or stop by her office (SEB Room 2074).  Your comments and feedback are also greatly appreciated.