Rebecca Park
Samsung
San Jose, CA USA
"It’s okay to take your time. You don’t have to find your passion right away."
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Rebecca's work combines: Engineering, Technology, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I initially only got into a master's program, not a Ph.D. program, but I really wanted to do research. I kept reaching out to the research professors but they would ignore me or reject me because I was a master's student. I read papers, did research, and talked to grad students about what was relevant. After a lot of studying, a professor was willing to meet with me. He saw that I was really trying and gave me a chance. I was allowed into the group and that professor became my Ph.D. advisor.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Engineering
Cornell University
Graduate Degree
Electrical Engineering
Stanford University
Doctorate
Electrical Engineering
Stanford University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I was born in Los Angeles, California, moved to Korea when I was in third grade, and then came back to the U.S. in high school.
2.
I didn’t learn what engineering was until I was in college but the field was interesting to me so I decided to pursue it.
3.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in engineering from Cornell University.
4.
Throughout my undergraduate studies, I had really great research experiences, which influenced me to apply to graduate school.
5.
I continued on to earn a master’s degree and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
6.
I applied for a position with Samsung because I felt like it was a good middle ground between what I had been working on and what I could expand my knowledge on.
7.
I’m currently working as a senior integration engineer for Samsung’s research and development department.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
I prefer to work with Ph.D. students, not master's degree students. I won't work with you.
How I responded:
I initially only got into a master's program, not a Ph.D. program, but I really wanted to do research. I kept reaching out to the research professors but they would ignore me or reject me because I was a master's student. I read papers, did research, and talked to grad students about what was relevant. After a lot of studying, a professor was willing to meet with me. He saw that I was really trying and gave me a chance. I was allowed into the group and that professor became my Ph.D. advisor.