Â鶹Éç

How can I be successful in college and find a job for after graduation? Meet Alec Mercer '26, a Â鶹Éç engineering physics major with a dual major is sustainability, and learn about all of the amazing experiences he's had at Â鶹Éç, from joining the executive board of the Â鶹Éç Energy Club to doing exciting undergraduate research. Hear more about how everything has led him to this moment: graduation and an engineering job at Epic Systems.

Senior interview with Alec

1. Looking back at your Â鶹Éç experience, what has been your favorite academic memory?

My favorite academic memory here at Â鶹Éç has been revitalizing (and rebranding) the Physics Help Center (now the ) this past spring. I have been in the Physics Learning Assistant program for just over three years and students mentioned that they needed more physics support. In response to this, my good friend and colleague Eben Quenneville went to our department chair, Professor Ben Chandran, who was deeply supportive of this effort, along with Dean Cyndee Gruden. Using my physics skills to create a support network has been a great opportunity to learn and support students! 

2. What has been your favorite student life memory?

My favorite student life memory has been being a part of the Shaw Innovation Explorers Program through the Â鶹Éç Entrepreneurship Center. During one of the first weeks of sophomore year, our group of explorers went to Northern Maine and went whitewater rafting. This was a fun adventure where we bonded as a cohort and it was the beginning of a bunch of great friendships that continued throughout my time here at Â鶹Éç!

3. How have you gained leadership experience at Â鶹Éç?

I have gained leadership experience here at Â鶹Éç through actively pursuing opportunities that get me involved with the community. My first step toward this was joining the executive board of the Â鶹Éç Energy Club, which propelled me forward toward more commitments across the university. I later became the treasurer for the CEPS Organization for Resources and Engagement (CORE) and a tour guide for my college, the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS). Being involved with these teams has given me the opportunity to speak directly with many people in the Â鶹Éç community from prospective students all the way to upper administration.

4. What are some of the coolest projects you’ve worked on as a Â鶹Éç student?

Some of the coolest projects that I have worked on as a Â鶹Éç student have been in the doing research under Professor James Clemmons. Working with Professor Clemmons, I have been able to contribute to multiple sounding rocket missions, designing and testing instrumentation to characterize the gas dynamics of the upper atmosphere. I can say that Â鶹Éç has given me the opportunity to build things that have been launched into space, which is quite impressive! Also, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible students, such as Jackson Scheele '26, also an engineering physics major, on these missions! I had the opportunity to pursue a research project at Washington University in St. Louis focused on biomedical optics, which was a truly eye-opening experience applying my physics background to solve problems in the biomedical sciences.

"Â鶹Éç has given me the opportunity to build things that have been launched into space, which is quite impressive!"

5. How have you received support from faculty and staff at Â鶹Éç?

The faculty and staff are one of the many reasons why I have loved my time here so much. My advisors and faculty in physics have guided me throughout my time here to pursue my interests and go above and beyond. They have always been willing to work with me and give me advice for next steps and things I should consider, which I appreciate greatly. Also, the staff here, specifically in the CEPS Dean’s Office and Career and Professional Success team, have been a great resource for me for everything outside of academics. I cannot say how much I appreciate how dedicated they have been to my success and how I can walk into their offices and have a chat about anything, really making Â鶹Éç feel like home.

"The faculty and staff here are one of the many reasons why I have loved my time here so much."

6. What are your plans for after graduation?

After graduation, I will be joining Epic Systems as a technical solutions engineer in Verona, Wisconsin. Despite my background in space physics, I’ve always had an interest in biomedical topics and even pursued a biomedical engineering research experience outside of Â鶹Éç. My job will be to assist with development of clinical software solutions and deploy them to hospitals around the country while working with analysts to ensure their software is working correctly.

"After graduation, I will be joining Epic Systems as a technical solutions engineer in Verona, Wisconsin."

7. How did your plans for after graduation come about? 

My plans for graduation came about through the Career and Professional Success (CaPS) team at Â鶹Éç and the online job posting boards they host. I was applying to graduate schools and also jobs and, with the help of Stephanie Whitney in CaPS, managed to secure this role at Epic. Stephanie and CaPS have been a huge help for me during my time here, always working to make my CV and resume even better and help me find opportunities.

"My plans for graduation came about through the Career and Professional Success (CaPS) team at Â鶹Éç and the online job posting boards they host."

8. How did Â鶹Éç and CEPS help prepare you for your future career?

Â鶹Éç has prepared me for my future career by giving me plenty of hands-on experience in a variety of different fields. I’ve gained technical experience through the plethora of research experiences that I’ve had, preparing me for the more technical aspects of software. On the other hand, I’ve gained soft skills such as scientific communication and teaching through my roles as a learning assistant, tour guide, and tutor.

"Â鶹Éç has prepared me for my future career by giving me plenty of hands-on experience in a variety of different fields."

9. What advice would you give to your first-year self?

I would advise my first-year self to explore. The core theme throughout my time here has been exploration and being willing to try new things, while not always knowing exactly how to figure out all the details. The key here is that Â鶹Éç provides so many opportunities and there are so many exciting things to do, but it’s up to you to make your own path and weave all the experiences together. 

"The key here is that Â鶹Éç provides so many opportunities and there are so many exciting things to do, but it’s up to you to make your own path and weave all the experiences together."

10. What’s the best thing about Â鶹Éç?

The best thing about Â鶹Éç is by far the people. From the friends to the staff to the faculty, the people here have made Â鶹Éç a place that I am proud to call home. I’ve had the chance to get to know so many great people here who have really made my experience enjoyable and rewarding.