Director of engineering at CTDI gives talk to Penn State students

MEDIA, Pa. - Mo Paknejad, a member of the Penn State Brandywine Advisory Board and director of engineering at CTDI, spoke with Penn State students from Brandywine, Beaver and Hazleton about leadership, innovation and the human side of engineering on Feb. 26.

Hosted by the Penn State Brandywine, Beaver and Hazleton Computer Science Consortium Industrial and Professional Advisory Council (CS-IPAC) and the Brandywine Technological Excellence and Digital Learning Committee, the virtual event brought together students, faculty and professionals for a deep and engaging conversation on what it means to grow as both an engineer and a leader.

Key themes in Paknejad's talk included cultivating technical excellence and leadership maturity, approaching problem-solving with creativity and innovation, preparing for technical interviews, maintaining positivity and flexibility during the job search and building leadership skills through reading, media resources and continuous self-development.

Udhay Mohan Kumar, a fourth-year cybersecurity student at Brandywine, attended the virtual event and noted how Paknejad's talk was important for students to hear because of the emphasis on continued personal growth.

"Dr. Paknejad's talk was inspiring because he showed that success in engineering is not only about technical skills, but also about leadership and continuous personal growth," he said.

"His perspective on long-term development and preparing for opportunities truly stood out to me. It was important for students to hear from someone with decades of experience who emphasized discipline, adaptability and lifelong learning."

George Eleftherakis, associate professor of computer science and leader of the Brandywine, Beaver and Hazleton CS-IPAC, was one of the organizers of this event. He noted how speaking engagements help students learn more about real-world experiences in the workforce.

"Invited talks like this bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. When students hear directly from leaders who have shaped the industry, they gain both the confidence and the clarity needed to envision their own path forward," he said.