Noel Mrowiec, a graduate student from Lake Bluff, Illinois, has been on an incredibly successful journey from military service to graduate school. They are currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. Noel is focusing specifically on machine learning and artificial intelligence.
My first question to themwas: What are your military service and experiences, and what led you to pursue higher education? Noel responded:
“I enlisted in the Army in 2017 to become a Green Beret. At the time of enlistment, I was working as a software engineer with Motorola Solutions and had completed my degree in computer engineering the year prior. When I decided to leave the military and return to a job in engineering, I realized that I would need to go back to school. In the Army, I wasn’t doing any engineering, and it had been seven years since I was a software engineer. I needed a way to refresh my skills and learn new ones. I considered multiple education paths, such as a coding bootcamp or a second undergraduate degree, but a master’s degree made the most sense. Even while I was in the military, I had always planned to get a master’s degree using the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) once I separated from the military.”
I then followed up by asking them what the most challenging part of transitioning from military life to student life was for them, and they said:
“The most challenging part of transitioning from the military to being a grad student has been relearning all the math and programming skills needed for a graduate degree focusing on AI/ML. I took online programming classes while still in the military, but the graduate-level classes required a higher level of algorithms and math. I planned on taking two undergraduate-level math classes at UIUC, but I found out halfway through the semester that the IVG would only cover graduate-level classes. Additionally, I receive my undergraduate degree at another institution, so it was challenging and frustrating trying to plan out my coursework without an academic advisor. The Master of Engineering (M.Eng) program at UIUC doesn’t allow students to meet with academic advisors. It was extremely challenging, as an outsider, to figure out if I met the prerequisites for classes and determine which semester classes were offered. Finding classes that would meet my academic goals was also a challenge without any assistance. I am still confused why on-campus M.Eng students cannot speak with academic advisors.”
After this, I asked them: Have you found any specific resources or support systems on campus that have helped you adjust?
“It has been very helpful to have a resource regarding federal and state veteran education benefits at the Chez Veterans Center. I have had questions and issues regarding the Montgomery GI Bill during my time at UIUC. The staff at Chez has helped connect me with the Office of Financial Aid. I have brought questions to the staff at Chez, and they provide solutions with minimal effort on my part.”
In addition to this, Noel is the recipient of the Meich Scholarship, which is extremely helpful for military connected students to be able to focus on their studies! I also asked them if they’re involved in any organizations or clubs at school, and what their career aspirations after graduation are. Noel responded:
“I am not involved with any organizations on campus. I spend my free time working out, training for an adventure race, or connecting with friends. However, I am involved with New City Church in the area and have met some awesome people, including some in my department.
After graduation, I hope to find a role related to AI/ML, such as software engineering or a machine learning engineer, at a startup or small company. Specifically, I hope to find a defense tech startup where I can utilize my military and tech experience.”
All in all, Noel’s journey from the military to graduate school has been a challenging yet rewarding experience. For anyone considering a similar path, whether they are Veterans or simply transitioning into new academic prospects, you got this! Noel’s story is a reminder that higher education, especially after military service, is completely within your grasp.
Article written by: Baileigh Hannah
