
From Classroom to Career: New ECE Students Connect at Bits and Bytes
Newly CODA’d and transfer students were welcomed into the ECE community at Bits and Bytes, a networking dinner presented by Qorvo. The event connected students with faculty, industry professionals and student organizations, helping them take the first steps toward building their careers.
January 31, 2025 Colleen Brown
What’s a key component of succeeding in today’s growing, dynamic job market? Connection.
On January 30, new students to the department were treated to a welcome dinner and networking event presented by Qorvo. Attendees included new CODA’d and transfer ECE students, department head Veena Misra, undergraduate advising staff and representatives from Qorvo.
“We actually have a lot of employees that have previously graduated from NC State,” said Sakshe Dongre, Product Development Engineer at Qorvo. “I myself graduated from here, so I know the quality of education that you receive here, the research opportunities as well as just connecting with recruiters and companies over time.”
The process of joining a new department can sometimes be a complicated process. Events like Bits and Bytes serve as a bridge for new students, helping them connect with current students, faculty and industry representatives; as well as learn about programs and clubs they might be interested in joining.
“I got to meet a lot of new people,” said Electrical Engineering student Dhruva Mahadevan. “Getting to learn about a local company that is headquartered here in North Carolina and also the different student organizations that are here… it ended up being a much more rewarding experience.”
Meaningful collaborations between corporate partners like Qorvo and the department are critical in setting students up for success. These partnerships are a two-way street. Companies get to meet with current students and faculty, scout for prospective talent and learn about the hands-on curriculum that’s being taught at the department. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, make vital career connections and learn about career paths they might be interested in.
Chase Browning and Dylan Misenheimer were in attendance representing Qorvo at the dinner. Both are ECE alumni who started their careers as interns at the company. Each had valuable advice for current students.
“Do your absolute best to get an internship. It really is important,” said Browning. “The only reason I have a job at Qorvo is because I interned at Qorvo. Other than that, I would not have had the opportunity to get a job there. They made my full-time job explicitly for me; it wasn’t an open position, so my internship led directly to my full-time role. So definitely go to career fairs, make your resume look nice, get help with that.”
“So I think the curriculum is set up in a great way… My experience has been that the professors have always been very supportive of those who are willing to put in the effort and learn more,” said Misenheimer. “I definitely encourage anyone that doesn’t know exactly what field they want to go into to just try something as they go throughout the [ECE] program. And that kind of guides you, in what you do and don’t like, and where to focus further.”
Current student Mahadevan (by his own admission) came to Bits and Bytes for the food but came away with more than just a good meal. “I got to talk to Qorvo here,” said Mahadevan. “Their company is very interesting and they’re located very close to where I live outside of school, so I like the work that they do. I think it’s fascinating.”
Congratulations once again to our new students! We can’t wait to see where you’ll go.