Cooke Internship Snapshot: Safety and Engineering with Cooke Scholar Oscar Tumushabe Madong
Oscar Tumushabe Madong
2023 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, Iowa State University
Safety and Engineering Intern at the Iowa Utilities Board; Incoming Junior Engineer at PG&E
Introduction and Bio:
I am Oscar Tumushabe Madong, a proud Jack Kent Cooke Scholar. Originally from Uganda, I migrated to the United States in 2019 and am completing a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering at San Francisco State University. I was honored to be among the 60 Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in 2019, having transferred from North Iowa Area Community College, where I graduated with an Associate of Science - STEM (Engineering) with a 3.95 GPA. I will soon join PG&E as a junior Engineer, having interned at the Iowa Utilities Commission, where I engaged in regulatory work, ensuring utility compliance and safety across the state.
Academic Journey:
My academic journey has been driven by a deep passion for engineering and a commitment to overcoming financial hurdles. After arriving in the U.S., I worked at a poultry farm to fund my education, which led me to pursue an associate degree at North Iowa Area Community College and, subsequently, a bachelor’s degree first, at Iowa State University, then transferred to San Francisco State University to join the bustling tech in the Bay Area. I intend to pursue a Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence to learn the practical applications of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering.
Journey to Current Role:
My Safety and Engineering Intern role at the Iowa Utilities Commission was secured after relentless pursuit and attendance at numerous career fairs at Iowa State University. During the hiring process, I was informed that my knowledge of Power Systems and my role as the Outreach Director of the PrISUm (Solar Racing Car) Club was important for my suitability for the position. This internship provided invaluable hands-on experience in regulatory processes and field inspections, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application.
Typical Day:
A typical day involves starting at 8:00 a.m. with departmental meetings, which are crucial for staying updated with policies and operational changes, a lunch break at mid-day (noon) for an hour, and then the afternoons were often spent on field visits, inspecting utility lines and gas pipelines, a part of the job I particularly enjoyed as it involved travel and active engagement with the field and engineers. The day would end typically at 5:00 p.m. with exceptions when there were any delays while at field visits which occasionally included spending a couple of days and nights in the field.
Favorite and Least Favorite Aspects:
My favorite part of the internship is the field inspections, which allow me to travel and see the direct impact of our work. My least favorite is the extensive meetings. Team meetings play a vital role in coordination and collaboration, but I’ve learned that finding the right balance between meetings and other communication methods, like concise emails, can help maintain engagement and efficiency.
Important Skills Used Daily:
Daily, I applied my knowledge of basic computing and networking, especially Google Workspaces (email, Google Drive, Google Meet), a lot of Smartsheet, and Adobe Suite, especially PDF, Premier Pro, and Photoshop. On the technical side, I often used SCADA, my knowledge of power systems, and my ability to adapt and learn quickly, especially in understanding new regulatory policies akin to those interpreted by lawyers.
Advice for Cooke Scholars:
For those interested in the utilities industry or any engineering field, be prepared to be a lifelong learner. Embrace challenges and be willing to step out of your comfort zone to acquire new skills. Understanding the practical implications of your work and how it aligns with regulatory standards is crucial.
You can connect with Oscar on LinkedIn here.