Catching Up With Forman Scholar Jeremy Beal!

Forman Scholar Jeremy Beal graduated from Rowan University this spring with a degree in electrical and computer engineering. After previously completing a software engineering internship on Walt Disney World’s global engineering and technology attractions systems team, Jeremy is back at the “Happiest Place on Earth,” completing an additional internship on the ride control team. We recently caught up with Jeremy to learn more about his college experience and his plans for the future.

What’s the biggest difference between high school and college?

High school is more structured. You have some choice in what you learn but not a ton. On the other hand, college is totally what you make of it. If you don’t like what you’re learning or don’t find it interesting, you don’t have to – and probably shouldn’t – continue. High school is something we all have to get through, and you often don’t have a say in the different sorts of fundamental topics and concepts you’re made to learn. College is a choice, a choice to focus on one of those topics and concepts and become almost an expert in it.

Looking back, what’s your most memorable moment from your time at Rowan?

My whole first year at Rowan was completely remote due to the pandemic, so the first day I was able to actually be on campus was pretty special. I remember how surreal it felt to be on campus, see everyone walking around and be physically in a class with other students. It was somewhat new but also refreshing – a return to normalcy.

What’s something you wish you had known during your first semester?

If you don’t schedule your classes early enough, you could find yourself in a tough spot. In my program, certain sections of classes – meaning certain times and professors – filled up very quickly. Building your schedule far enough in advance – essentially as soon as you know you’re able to start selecting courses – will give you the best chance at securing the classes you want.

How did you overcome adversity and the challenges of college?

Simply put, by working hard. I’ve always been a self-motivated, independent person. Organizations like the Foundation can offer you support and help guide you in the right direction, but you’ll need to put in the effort as well. I’ll give an example. I started one of my courses, an electrical engineering circuit analysis class, with no prior exposure to circuit analysis. I heard classmates of mine talk about how they had taken similar classes in high school, and I immediately felt unprepared. I felt like I needed to play catch-up, and although that might have been the case initially, I ended up doing really well in the course because of my commitment to putting in extra work outside of class. I made a decision to not let my knowledge gap pull me down and, instead, do whatever it took to close that gap. 

Why are organizations such as the Forman Acton Foundation so important?

Student loans are possibly the largest stumbling block to college for many students and their families. College can be an expensive commitment, and that cost is seemingly intensified when students are unsure about the major they want to pursue or the path they want to take. In my case, I didn’t exactly know I’d like electrical and computer engineering – I just knew I liked computers. So, for one thing, the Foundation can help relieve financial stress. The cost of college becomes one less thing for families to worry about. But also, the Foundation helps guide students in the right direction during their college journey. They help remove many of the uncertainties of college, which allows students to make the most of their experience.