Michael Gibbons | Electrical and Computer Engineering

“At Rutgers, you can truly do anything you’re interested in, and it will be available at little or no cost.” – Michael Gibbons

Electrical and computer engineering (ECE) major Michael Gibbons is currently an intern for the NJ Transit’s electric traction department, where he updates single line diagrams for electricians renovating electrical sites. He is the president of A’s for All, or A4A, an organization he co-founded with sports management major Hailen Arp, that is dedicated to modifying and designing toys for disabled children, and serves as its president.

Why Rutgers?

In high school, I dreamed of going out-of-state to get an experience outside of New Jersey. But after one semester at the University of Delaware, I decided to transfer to Rutgers. What stood out to me was the size of the school. At Rutgers, you can truly do anything you’re interested in, and it will be available at little or no cost. This helped me learn new skills that I’ve always wanted to learn, and even skills that I never knew I was capable of learning.

Why ECE?

My favorite part is how tight knit the ECE program is. Its smaller building allows us to bump into friends and colleagues a lot, giving our major a strong sense of community.

How did A4A come about?

I’d been involved at the University of Delaware in a similar organization and wanted to establish something like it at Rutgers. With the support of Dr. Cole Galloway, founder of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation’s Assistive Medical Technologies and GoBabyGo programs, I was able to move forward with the initiative. Last semester, we collaborated with five families, customizing toy cars to their children’s unique needs. Our goal is to help as many kids as possible and we are accomplishing it every day while teaching the engineering process to Rutgers students.

A4A has been my main extracurricular, and the best student organization I’ve ever been a part of.

What surprised you about Rutgers Engineering?

The learning curve surprised me. I’d always heard that the engineering program is difficult, but I quickly realized that studying would take up the majority of my time. Because of the time I’ve spent learning and growing, I’ve come to love the science of engineering and everything it has to offer.

What is your favorite memory?

The A4A Car Showcase at the end of the fall semester. It was the day we gave our semester-long projects to families and their children. To see the families and children so happy helped me realize how big of an impact each one of us can make in the world.

What are your post-graduate plans?

My current plans are to start working at NJ Transit and eventually transition into my true passion in the healthcare sector.

Any advice for new students?

While I have learned much about ECE in the classroom, I have learned much more through extracurriculars and activities, from A4A to my part-time job with Rutgers Recreation, where I’ve learned to communicate, speak up, and lead. I’d also tell students to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.

What three words best describe your SoE experience?

Challenging. Rewarding. Chaotic.