Rigorous coursework is often just the first step for students who are preparing for careers as engineers and computer scientists. Undergraduates may not have leadership roles on their radar before they have completed their first internships but through the process of mentorship, many students discover that they need coaching beyond their academic courses.
Director Lacey Henderson (right) from the Jonsson School Professional Success Center meets with students at a welcome event. The group provides a range of services and opportunities for students, including one-on-one mentorship sessions with the Career Faculty Fellows.
At the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas, faculty and staff are working toward following students into their careers by including mentorship as one critical component of the process.
“At the Jonsson School, we recognize that students need multiple avenues to prepare for their careers,” said Lacey Henderson, director of Jonsson School Career Services and Professional Success Center. “We are now offering a suite of options, from seminars to career fair preparation. We are pleased to announce our new Jonsson School Career Faculty Fellows who are offering an hour or two of their time each week to help further our students’ career-preparation journeys.”
The Jonsson School Career Faculty Fellows, including Dr. Dani Fadda, professor of practice in mechanical engineering; Dr. Wei Yang, associate professor of computer science; and Yi Zhao MS’92 PhD’96, assistant professor of instruction in computer science, have already mentored numerous students through their courses. The group includes faculty who have a knack for connecting with students, as well as possess robust industry experience. Two professors of instruction in electrical and computer engineering, Dr. Marco Tacca and Dr. Randall Lehmann, joined in the fall 2024 semester.
Sometimes, those focused conversations can take students outside of their expected paths, but they may find their true gifts in the process.
“I’m starting law school at Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth,” said Gwendolyn Logsdon BS’24, who studied computer science and recognized her interest in patent law after meeting with a mentor. “I’m considering specializing in patent law for software, but I’m still exploring paths that combine law and computer science. I’m particularly interested in opportunities related to AI or ethics in the tech sector.”
The mentors who may have met informally with students in the past will now capture and track those interactions through regular meetings. Most importantly, they will continue to improve the Jonsson School student experience.
Gwendolyn Logsdon BS’24
Dr. Dani Fadda, professor of practice in mechanical engineering, worked in industry for over 20 years, then discovered a passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of mechanical engineers. He is pictured in the Jonsson School’s Freshmen Design Studio that’s located next to a small wind tunnel.
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“Sometimes, students don’t know what to expect from job descriptions or business opportunities. Mentoring is what helps people to find the right career paths that will make them thrive.”
— Dr. Dani Fadda, professor of practice in mechanical engineering
When Fadda was a student, he did not envision that he would ultimately teach hundreds of mechanical engineering students at UTD.
“If you had told me back then that I would become someone’s professor, I would have laughed at you,” Fadda said.
Fadda began his career in education with an adjunct teaching assignment in 2009 planned around his corporate travel schedule as a mechanical engineer and product manager.
“I enjoyed teaching,” Fadda said. “I really enjoyed UT Dallas — the student culture, working together and the vision of the University.”
By 2016, he became a full‐time faculty member after working almost 20 years in industry. He also served as both a faculty mentor and a corporate sponsor for UTDesign® Capstone teams.
As for career mentoring, “My office is always open,” Fadda said. “My own students meet with me all the time.”
He focuses on tailoring his advice to individual students who may have very different career goals.
“You cannot mentor someone without getting to know them,” Fadda said. “You cannot follow a script. It’s very important to listen to what they say.”
Fadda said he is very glad to be invited by Henderson to serve as a Jonsson School Career Faculty Fellow for mechanical engineering students.
“The new engineering and computer science mentorship program will help with process improvement,” he said. “We have more than 1,000 students in mechanical engineering, so we need to keep track of who we meet and continuously improve the way we offer advice.”
Additionally, Fadda recognizes that navigating career paths is one small part of the process that often involves defining life goals.
“Sometimes, students don’t know what to expect from job descriptions or business opportunities,” Fadda said. “Mentoring is what helps people to find the right career paths that will make them thrive.”
Fadda also has a few words he would have given to himself as a college student when talking to mentors: “Listen, listen, listen . . . Ask, ask, ask and then listen, listen, listen. Don’t roll your eyes. Mentors in your life are not just throwing words — they’re giving you honest advice.”
Watch: Faculty members mentor students through a new program launched by the Jonsson School’s Career Services and Professional Development, as part of the Jonsson School Professional Success Center.
Watch: Faculty members mentor students through a new program launched by the Jonsson School’s Career Services and Professional Development, as part of the Jonsson School Professional Success Center.
Dr. Wei Yang, associate professor of computer science, teaches graduate courses in software engineering. He assists undergraduate and alumni students who are struggling with their job hunts and says that teaching and mentorship fuel his own research.
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Yang recently received tenure at UT Dallas as an associate professor of computer science. He is focused primarily on software engineering, a popular field among UT Dallas students. However, despite the program’s exponential growth and strong career prospects, students still may struggle to transition from the classroom to their careers.
“We’ve had a tougher job market recently,” Yang said. “I’ve been meeting with students mostly who are about to graduate; sometimes, a bit earlier. Previously, I was helping them to evaluate options between multiple job offers, but that’s not always the case right now.”
Yang has advanced primarily as a research professor.
He teaches graduate classes and has distinguished himself with his work on artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, Yang acknowledges that many of his students will pursue corporate careers.
“Fewer than one percent of the students will go into academia and pursue their PhDs,” Yang said. “Lacey Henderson asked if I could help advise our software engineering students. Most are undergraduates.”
While Yang offers his advice for two hours a week as a service to the students, he says that mentorship benefits his own approach
to work. “Working as a mentor impacts my daily life,” Yang said. “I help students to get a better career, and this improves my own teaching. The process is very natural.”
Yang continued, “I try to employ Nico Habermann’s approach. ‘Focus on the students, since graduating great students means you’ll produce great research, while focusing on the research may or may not produce great students.’”
“We achieve mutual growth. I have been benefited from others who were willing to sit down and spend time with me. The gesture itself means a lot.”
— Dr. Wei Yang, associate professor of computer science
Like other faculty mentors, Yang focuses on students’ professional skills. However, because many are close to graduation, he also guides them through the arduous job-search process.
“Students come to me because they have not yet found their ideal job,” Yang said. “I help them handle stress. Sometimes, students place too much attention on hiding their flaws. I want them to think instead about what they do best and how they can contribute.”
While Yang has a busy workload, he enjoys helping students transition into their careers.
“My main principle is to focus on my students,” Yang said. “We achieve mutual growth. I have benefited from others who were willing to sit down and spend time with me. The gesture itself means a lot.”
Benjamin Jeffery
STUDENT REFLECTION:
BENJAMIN JEFFERY
I grew up in the United Kingdom and moved to the United States in 2020, halfway through my junior year of high school. UTD appealed to me because of its strong academic programs, particularly for engineering, generous scholarship offerings, up‐and‐coming reputation and proximity to home.
I just finished my sophomore year at UT Dallas, and I worked a summer internship in Dallas. My internship has opened my eyes to a huge number of exciting opportunities, but it has also made me appreciate the complexity of the decisions ahead of me.
When I reached out to Dr. Fadda, I was torn among pursuing summer research fellowships, accepting a return offer at my current workplace, looking for internships with other companies and everything in between. Dr. Fadda did an excellent job of laying out the paths I could take, clearly articulating each of their pros and cons and accounting for my personal strengths and weaknesses. He’s seen it all before — his experiences in both industry and academia make him an invaluable resource for career planning.
I cannot overstate the impact that student organizations can have on the undergraduate experience. I’m currently the vice president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) at UT Dallas, one of the largest engineering student organizations on campus. AIAA connected me with my first internship, and I think it’s fair to say that without AIAA, I’d be a far less well‐rounded engineer. I have met so many fantastic students, many of whom have become close friends.
Jun Ren
STUDENT REFLECTION: JUN REN
I am a junior in the Jonsson School majoring in computer science. I have always enjoyed integrating knowledge to solve complex, real‐world problems. UT Dallas allows me to turn these ideas into reality, which is the main reason why I chose to study here.
Before speaking with Dr. Yang, I had a general idea of working in the tech industry, possibly as a software engineer or developer. However, I lacked a clear understanding of how to align my technical skills with specific industry needs or my long‐term goals. Dr. Yang provided me with a transformative project opportunity where I had the chance to engage in cutting‐edge research, meet many talented individuals and encounter advanced ideas.
This experience transitioned me from being merely a knowledge-absorbing student to a researcher capable of contributing meaningful insights. Now, I have a clearer sense of direction and a stronger sense of purpose in my future career.
I volunteered in a tutoring program, where I not only helped other students improve their academic abilities but also enhanced my communication and teaching skills in the process. Additionally, being involved in student organizations provided me with leadership opportunities. Later through hackathons, I collaborated with students from diverse backgrounds. These experiences boosted my confidence.
My advice is to actively seek out mentors and be open to receiving guidance. It is crucial to find mentors who not only have expertise in their field but also share your interests and values. Building a relationship requires effort and commitment from both sides, so it is important to be proactive.
Yi Zhao MS’92 PhD’96 brings firsthand experience as a former C-suite executive to his students who are planning their careers. Zhao encourages his students to define their own paths as they leverage networking and professional development.
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Zhao, a UT Dallas Distinguished Alumni Award winner and now assistant professor of instruction in computer science, emphasizes that professional skills may be the most critical.
“Because I worked in industry, I know how hiring happens,” Zhao said. “You can learn a new programming language quickly, but soft skills can take years. As seniors, if students are just now thinking about how they present themselves, what value they offer and what they are looking for from their careers, it’s often too late.”
As a former telecommunications executive who built an international company, Zhao worked across time zones for most of his career and became accustomed to efficient, clear communication. He aims to impart these same skills to his students.
“How can you market yourself in a crowded job market?” Zhao asked. “I am always impressed when a student asks, ‘How can I stand out when I graduate?’ If they’re thinking this way, they’re heading in the right direction.”
Previously, some of Zhao’s coaching was informal, as he might have a conversation with a student who following a course is on the way out. Topics focus on polishing technical skills, communication, leadership and networking. He also provides an employer’s perspective.
“If I am one of 200 applicants, how much time do I get from the recruitment agent who does not have a technical background?” Zhao asked. “Maybe 20 seconds. You have to include the right keywords, looking at the job description. You cannot send the same resume and the same cover letter to every company. I have students who submit hundreds of applications, and they wonder why they haven’t been called for an interview.”
Zhao also emphasizes the importance of networking, particularly for jobs that are not directly advertised.
“Just because there is a hiring freeze doesn’t mean a position won’t come open. If I need to hire a couple of people, I’m not going to a headhunter. I’m going to ask — who do you know? And the people I remember — those I’ve met from networking, from professional organizations, even from volunteering — that’s who I’m going to think of when those positions come open. Many students are not aware that is how it works.”
“I am always impressed when a student asks, ‘How can I stand out when I graduate?’ If they’re thinking this way, they’re heading in the right direction.”
— Dr. Yi Zhao, assistant professor of instruction in computer science
Timothy Naumov
STUDENT REFLECTION: TIMOTHY NAUMOV
I started by taking courses at Collin College for a few years until I had completed most of my core classes. I wanted to pursue a software engineering degree at UT Dallas, so I transferred in the fall of 2022. After five semesters, I graduated, and now I work as a software engineer at a company called G-Research in Dallas.
I took Dr. Zhao’s course in the spring of 2023. This is when I had started to take my career goals seriously and attempted to distinguish myself. I had just started an internship in January where I would continue to work for the rest of the year. My career goals were ambitious, but distinguishing myself in a competitive market was difficult.
I tried to utilize every avenue to grow my network and build my skills in my profession. This included attending local events, competing in several hackathons across the state, building personal projects and connecting with peers and faculty to leverage the resources that UT Dallas had to offer.
I would advise students to take advantage of the professors around them and lean into their network. Local meetups and hackathons are a great way to meet new people and find peers with common interests. Developing yourself is a lot easier when you see others doing it around you.
Yi “Amber” Yang
STUDENT REFLECTION: YI “AMBER” YANG
I am currently a first‐year PhD student in computer science at UT Dallas. My background is in biology, but I recently transferred to a computer science lab. I chose UT Dallas because of its strong research programs and the opportunity to work with faculty like Dr. Zhao. The innovative environment and interdisciplinary opportunities here made it an ideal choice for furthering my goals.
Before speaking with Dr. Zhao, my career goals were somewhat nebulous. I had a general interest in merging my background in biology with computer science, but I wasn’t sure about the specific path to take.
After speaking with Dr. Zhao, I gained clarity and confidence about my career direction. Dr. Zhao’s guidance helped me realize the potential impact of advanced computational techniques in solving complex biological problems. This conversation was pivotal in my decision to pursue a PhD, as doing so aligned perfectly with my interests.
My advice to other students is to be proactive and open to guidance. Finding a mentor who provides clarity can be incredibly beneficial. It’s important to seek out mentors who align with your academic and professional interests and to engage with them openly about your goals and uncertainties. Mentorship can provide a roadmap to achieving your aspirations and seizing opportunities you might not have considered.
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