After graduating from the 小蝌蚪APP in Industrial Technology, James Guillory wanted an edge before jumping into the workforce.
Through the Master of Science in Systems Technology online program, he小蝌蚪APP檚 sharpened his skills and found a passion for renewable energy, working with Dr. Terrence Chambers, director of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy.
小蝌蚪APP淚小蝌蚪APP檝e always enjoyed electricity, looking at electricity, the nature of electricity generation,小蝌蚪APP Guillory says. 小蝌蚪APP淎t first, I didn小蝌蚪APP檛 really bat an eye at solar or wind energy, but I had a conversation with Dr. Chambers who urged me to take one of his classes. From there, I was enthralled. I thought it was absolutely fascinating, and I wanted to learn more.小蝌蚪APP
Under Dr. Chambers小蝌蚪APP mentorship, Guillory has worked on three projects focused on solar energy technology, one of which became his culminating project. The Department of Industrial Technology recognized Guillory小蝌蚪APP檚 effort this semester by naming him its Outstanding Master小蝌蚪APP檚 Graduate.
In his first project, Guillory designed outdoor charging stations 小蝌蚪APP similar to indoor device charging stations 小蝌蚪APP to be placed around UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 campus and integrated into the campus electrical grid.
Guillory then explored technology to synchronize all forms of energy generation resources to the campus electrical grid小蝌蚪APP檚 voltage, frequency, and power quality.
Infrastructure obstacles prevented Guillory from taking those projects through implementation, but they led him to his final project: a wireless monitoring system for renewable resources.
小蝌蚪APP淭hrough integrating several different technologies 小蝌蚪APP LabView, Arduino, Excel 小蝌蚪APP we established a wireless communication so we can constantly monitor the output of this renewable energy system,小蝌蚪APP he said.
Guillory might not have connected with his eventual mentor if not for the Systems Technology program小蝌蚪APP檚 interdisciplinary approach.
The course he took on solar energy and design is offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Students also learn about the tenets of Six Sigma and have the opportunity to incorporate courses from the Master of Business Administration curriculum to prepare for leadership across industries.
For Guillory, the nature of the program also compelled him to develop additional skills.
小蝌蚪APP淭ime management is huge,小蝌蚪APP he says. 小蝌蚪APP淪ince it小蝌蚪APP檚 all online, you have the freedom to complete tasks as you want, but it小蝌蚪APP檚 your responsibility to get those projects and those tasks completed. You have to learn how to manage your time, abide by a daily schedule, and take time for yourself. You can小蝌蚪APP檛 burn yourself out.小蝌蚪APP
Guillory used block scheduling to map out his time at the beginning of each semester, blocking off dedicated 15-minute slots for school, work, and daily necessities.
小蝌蚪APP淚t didn小蝌蚪APP檛 always go that way, but that schedule helped me realize how much time I had and how much time I needed to focus on certain things, specifically school work,小蝌蚪APP he says.
With graduation in sight, Guillory is now looking forward to his next steps.
小蝌蚪APP淚小蝌蚪APP檇 love to keep on working in renewable energy sources; I would also love to move into control systems, or pursuing quality assurance or project management,小蝌蚪APP he says. 小蝌蚪APP淭hat小蝌蚪APP檚 the thing about this degree. The possibilities are virtually endless; I can branch out to any discipline I want.小蝌蚪APP