At the start of the fall semester, the OCCC Engineering Club renewed its mission with fresh opportunities for students. Under the leadership of its new president, Jurithsi Rojo, the club has partnered with engineering professors to offer students extra credit for active participation, encouraging greater involvement and hands-on learning.
The club held its second meeting of the semester on Sept. 25, giving students the chance to connect directly with industry professionals. Nick Langston, supervisor of engineering services at OG&E, visited campus with company recruiter Mike Murphy to share insights from his career and discuss opportunities in the engineering field.
Langston graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and has spent the last five years working at OG&E. Before joining the company, he worked in the oil industry. Reflecting on both his career path and OG&E’s evolution from an ice manufacturer to an energy company, Langston emphasized that change brings new opportunities.
When discussing the future of technology, Langston highlighted the stability of engineering careers.
“Hands-on experience, like knowing how to apply a theoretical concept to the physical world, is really what we look for when bringing on new engineers,” he said. “We have so much equipment that’s not connected to the internet, so AI’s never going to be able to actively do anything to it.”
Looking ahead, the club plans to hold events that will help students sharpen their technical skills and build valuable professional networks. Rojo emphasized the club’s role as a helpful resource for aspiring engineers.
“The engineering club at OCCC aims to be a networking hub and an additional resource for students pursuing an engineering degree,” she said. “We connect students with engineers currently in the workforce, scholarship opportunities and internship opportunities, and we keep them updated about the ever-evolving landscape” of the engineering industry.
The club, which meets at 11 a.m. on Thursdays in the engineering lab, also welcomes students from non-engineering majors who are curious about the field. Each meeting brings together a diverse group of students from various disciplines, creating a collaborative environment where everyone can learn from one another.
