Eric Belske says his love of all things electrical was sparked by an electronics experiment kit he received as child, and after going to high school and community college to study the field, it just made sense to finish his studies at UConn.

But being a bit older than many of his classmates, Belske says he had a unique experience navigating student life at UConn, giving the advice: “Don’t assume everyone ‘older’ is a professor – you might just find yourself sitting next to them in a class.”

Why did you choose UConn?

After I completed an associate degree at CT State, I was encouraged by one of my electrical professors to continue my studies. He had great things to say about the UConn program and encouraged me to apply, because a UConn College of Engineering degree carries a certain reputation. As a resident of Connecticut, it also made sense logistically and financially.

What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?

My major is electrical engineering. When I was a young kid, my dad got me a 200-in-1 electronics experiment kit, which sparked my interest in all things electrical. I attended a regional technical high school and received my diploma in industrial electronics. I always meant to finish a college degree in electrical engineering. It just took me a little while to get here!

Did you have a favorite professor or class?

I’ve had so many awesome professors, it is hard to pick a single favorite. Professor “TomKat” (Tom Katsouleas) and I share a love of sailing, and he’s just so personable and fun to talk to. Professor Ali Gorkiamak is extremely encouraging, and all his labs are project-based, which somehow makes them more difficult, but you learn so much more by exploring. You can tell he loves to teach and genuinely wants to see his students learn, grow, and succeed. Lastly, Professor Mehdi Anwar gives lectures that aren’t so much a deep dive into derivations as they are a set of life lessons and instructions on how to learn. A key component that he stresses is working together, which forced my classmates and me to form a large study group that has stuck together over our time at UConn. I owe some of my success and some of my closest UConn friends to him.

What activities were you involved in as a student?

Due to being an older student who is also commuting, I didn’t have a lot of time for activities. While I didn’t get to enjoy the various clubs that UConn offers, I did spend a lot of late nights on campus with my peer study group or in the labs. If I had joined a club, I would have joined the 3D printing club and the IEEE club.

What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

The lack of “older” students in the College of Engineering was surprising to me. At CT State, there was a range of ages in all my classes. My first year at UConn, I was repeatedly asked what classes I taught. After a few semesters, my classmates started to realize that I wasn’t so different from them after all.

What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?

My wife and I finally got married three semesters ago, so we’re looking forward to finally taking our honeymoon. I’m looking forward to reentering the workforce and utilizing my degrees in electrical engineering, and, of course, having the time to go sailing again.

How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?

My grandmother always had a saying that nothing in life worth doing is easy. This is one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life so far. When I finished my associate degree, I felt like it was an abridged version of an electrical engineering degree, because there were so many concepts that we couldn’t cover. I realize there is still so much to learn in specific disciplines in electrical engineering, but I’ve learned from my time at UConn that nothing is out of reach with enough time, hard work, and dedication.

Any advice for incoming students?

Network with your peers as quickly as you can. Form study groups and work together. I’ve always been amazed by how much more you can accomplish as a group than as an individual. Don’t assume everyone “older” is a professor – you might just find yourself sitting next to them in a class.

What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?

I feel obligated to mention attending basketball games given the dynasty UConn has built. The energy and pride you feel in the stands is like nothing else. However, you really should explore the campus. Take the time to explore and check out the buildings that you don’t have classes in. It is amazing to notice the different architectures and amenities and find cool little study spots you wouldn’t have otherwise. The Wilbur Cross reading room is one of those gems.

What will always make you think of UConn?

This was such a huge experience that touched so many aspects of my life, there really isn’t much that won’t remind me of my time at UConn. From meeting and petting Jonathan on campus to late nights studying with classmates and eating in the dining hall with friends, there have been so many memories made and experiences I’ll never forget.