Aneek James (BSEE, ’17) found his calling in the College of Engineering. He believes that his time at UGA has paid dividends throughout his career, and that there is truly nothing like Bulldawg Nation! After he graduated, he went on to earn his MSEE and Ph.D. from Columbia University and now works as a senior member of the technical staff with Draper Laboratories in Cambridge, MA. Inspired by how others are giving back to the college, he now gives back to UGA Engineering with both with his time and resources. Aneek is a member of the Engineering Alumni Board and a leading voice for students and young alumni.
What is one of your favorite memories of your time at UGA, and why?
“I’ll always remember sitting in Sanford Stadium as the College of Engineering was announced during Commencement. We were the loudest and proudest to be there that day! It was such a great memory to have, cheering alongside many of the friends I made throughout the program.”
What made you decide to pursue engineering?
“I was always interested in math and science, but I was reluctant to commit to those as career paths since they were more grounded in theory. When I learned that engineering was essentially the application of math and physics to real-world problems, I felt like I had found my calling.”
“It’s truly about the people – the support system I received at UGA has continued to pay dividends throughout my entire career.”
What do you think makes UGA Engineering special?
“It’s truly about the people – the support system I received at UGA has continued to pay dividends throughout my entire career. Graduating from the College of Engineering and striving to become the best engineer I could be genuinely felt like a team effort – from the administration and professors to the students. There’s truly nothing quite like Bulldawg Nation!”
Tell us about your career path since graduation.
“After graduation, I went on to pursue a Ph.D. at Columbia University studying integrated photonics – the science of manipulating light at the quantum scale. After graduating this past May, I moved to Cambridge, MA to work at Draper Laboratories as a Senior Member of Technical Staff. I’m responsible for helping develop the Lab’s suite of photonic modeling and simulation capabilities for their strategic/space-related activities.”
“It was amazing to see that, even as a young college, the culture of giving was deeply ingrained in UGA Engineering.”
How did private giving impact your experience at UGA? How do you feel it impacted your longer term success?
“I feel that receiving support to further my studies at UGA connected me to the broader network of UGA alumni and donors. Whenever I receive a gift of any kind, I ask myself, ‘How can I most powerfully express my gratitude for this at the moment?’ So, since then, I’ve been demonstrating my appreciation to those donors by consistently serving as an ambassador for UGA Engineering through both my work and my character.”
How did seeing the generosity of others impact your view of philanthropy?
“It was amazing to see that, even as a young college, the culture of giving was deeply ingrained in UGA Engineering. I decided that once I entered the workforce, I would strive to pay that generosity forward in any way I could!”
Today, as someone who gives back to the College of Engineering, how do you hope your generosity impacts the college?
“I primarily donate to the Scholarship and ECE Enhancement funds, so I hope it helps provide financial support and departmental needs. But I also hope that as a gesture, it’s encouraging for the college – both the administration and the students – to see that, despite its youth, there’s a growing network of alumni donors who are rooting for their success!”
“But I also hope that as a gesture, it’s encouraging for the college – both the administration and the students – to see that, despite its youth, there’s a growing network of alumni donors who are rooting for their success!”
If you could say one thing to someone who is considering giving back to Engineering, what would it be?
“Teaching the next generation of engineers is fundamental if we want to solve the big problems we’re facing as a country and as a planet. As alumni, we should be the biggest cheerleaders in helping the College maintain its standard of excellence or even improving it. Even if you can’t give money, think about getting involved in others ways, like participating in the Mentor program, getting your company to work with the College, or joining the Alumni Board!”
