On my college search, I have come along the institution of University of Alaska Fairbanks as a potential out-of-state choice for an undergraduate engineering program. Unfortunately, there is rather sparse information on this institution and its programs online - does anyone have any insight into the overall reputation of their programs, particularly those in mechanical and petroleum engineering?
I am mainly concerned with the following questions:
-How does it compare to other “mid-tier,” but nationally reputable colleges, such as maybe Purdue or Virginia Tech?
-By the same token, will graduating from a school that seems to lack a national prestige (compared to the likes of RPI, Georgia Tech, Carnegie-Mellon) significantly impact my career or grad school prospects in engineering, in general?
-Suppose I want a job in the engineering industries in the northern and Arctic regions - would an education close to these industries help - and, if so, to what degree?
As long as a program is accredited, it is a good engineering program. I have read that the Petroleum Engineering program at UAF is “top rate.” If you are interested in a career in the field in Alaska and the “northern and Arctic regions,” then it would be an ideal place to go. By attending a university in that region, you would demonstrate your willingness to work that far North, your adaptability to the climate and light/dark hours there, etc. You would also be right there for internships during college to gain experience.
Since the Arctic areas are prime for further exploration to extract energy resources, it would be a very good strategy to pursue your major at UAF. Drilling in the Arctic will have its own considerations separate from other locations, and it is possible those details might be addressed more in classes at UAF than elsewhere, and there could even be visiting speakers to give first-hand accounts. You could also check out the Arctic Studies program and see if you could take some electives from that major. https://www.uaf.edu/arctic/ By knowing more about the arctic, that would set you apart from similar candidates applying for internships and jobs in that area who do not have special training and relevant life experiences.
Another awesome place to look is of course Houston, and any Texas university with relevant accredited majors. I would focus on Texas universities before looking at places like RPI and Ga Tech if your interests lie in Petroleum Engineering. Just take a drive across Texas and you will see all the oil refineries and so on. There are lots of energy jobs in that state, and many of the people working in the industry attended universities in Texas. You can search for accredited programs in Texas and elsewhere on abet.org (link above), and come up with some more places to apply.
I graduated from UAF (Computer Science.) It’s a unique place to go to school - people either love it or hate it. I loved it.
Their Petroleum Engineering program has a great reputation. So do the Mining and Civil Engineering programs. I don’t hear much about the Mechanical Engineering program.
The oil industry in Alaska isn’t as big as it used to be, so I’m not sure what job prospects in the state are like these days.