“My first exposure to engineering was a high school trip on a hot and humid day to a pulp and paper mill in my home state of Maine,” said Jason Low, lecturer in the ISE Department. “I learned one thing about engineering that day. I didn’t want to be a chemical engineer in a pulp and paper mill.” Fortunately for ISE, Jason’s experience that day didn’t turn him away from pursuing engineering.
Jason’s passion for “taking things apart, seeing how they worked and putting them back together again” led him to the University of Maine, where he received his baccalaureate degree in electrical engineering. During his time at school, Jason had the opportunity to complete three co-op stints with computer company Data General and luckily for him, that is where he discovered industrial engineering. The experience would later define the direction that he would go after finishing his undergraduate degree.
So after graduation, Jason started his career as a manufacturing engineer with Digital Equipment Corporation. It was during this time that Jason’s love for manufacturing processes grew and he realized that he would need an advanced degree to reach his goals.
Through a recommendation from a good friend who was already pursuing his master’s in industrial engineering, Jason came to NC State in 1995 and was later offered a research assistant position in the ISE Department as he continued to work toward his degree. It was during this time that Jason made another discovery that would change the direction of his future. While heavily involved in both research and developing the department’s curriculum, Jason realized the magnitude and quality of the resources available to him at NC State. His surroundings, along with the ability to reach out and mentor students, lend Jason to accept a lecturer position in the department after receiving his degree.
Teaching has allowed Jason to explore beyond campus boundaries. He serves as the lead, both for the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB) program, which allows students from Venezuela to visit and study for three weeks and high school engineering camps in the ISE Department each summer. “I enjoy teaching these summer program students because they are engaged; they want to be here and they love to learn,” said Jason. “They have tremendous interest and ask so many questions that are challenging. As a teacher, this is so rewarding.”
Currently, Jason manages the ISE manufacturing laboratories and continues teaching manufacturing processes and automation courses. Besides students, he can often be found teaching robots as well!