Franz Parkins, Computer Engineering Alum

 

 

Degrees
MSCE, PhD (2020)

Current Residence
Memphis, TN

Current Employer
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

 

 

 

What influenced your decision to attend Herff College of Engineering?
I have an Engineering background in Academia and Enterprise.

How did Herff prepare you for your career?
I was prepared to join the workplace with a broad set of skills in the AI field that spanned the entire computation systems stack.

What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you found most helpful in your career?
I learned Computer Vision and Machine Learning methods

Who was your most impactful professor? Why?
Dr. Balasubramanian was most impactful due to the relevancy and depth of the subject mater that he taught.

Were you involved in student groups? If so, which one(s)?
Briefly with IEEE and Club Soccer

What support(s) did you have during your time as a college student? How did you keep focused on the goal?
I joined a dissertation writing program.

What was your greatest memory from your time at Herff?
Sitting down with my advisor and formulating a final plan to finishing the dissertation requirements.

What advice would you give those considering enrolling in Herff College of Engineering?
It is hard work to finish the program but the payoff is well worth it.

What do you know now that you wish you had known during your time at Herff?
Writing toward the dissertation should happen from the beginning on a regular cadence.

Was your Herff experience worth the price? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
Well worth it but, I would take 4 hours of each Friday to write toward the dissertation.