Another graduating class of Horned Frogs is ready to change the world for the greater good. Finishing strong amid a pandemic, members of the class of 2021 have proved their resilience and grit, skills valued by potential employers. The TCU Center for Career & Professional Development shines the spotlight on a sampling of TCU’s amazing spring class of 2021, who share about their time on campus and what’s next for their careers.

“We have seen significant changes from the traditional recruiting processes and hiring timelines this year,” said Mike Caldwell, executive director of the TCU Center for Career & Professional Development. “Throughout this process, TCU students and grads have adapted quickly and effectively, successfully demonstrating their career readiness skills.”

From the College of Science & Engineering:

Bailey Campbell
Mansfield, Texas
B.S. in engineering (electrical engineering emphasis) and minor in mathematics
Incoming electrical engineering associate, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas

What brought you to TCU?
BC: I’m from nearby, so growing up I used to come to Fort Worth a lot to shop and hang out. Every TCU student that I met was so nice and helpful so I knew I would love TCU!

What have you enjoyed most about being a Horned Frog?
BC: It has been so nice living in Fort Worth during my time here. I love how laid back the city is and how there is so much to do. I have also met so many amazing people at TCU and have made lifelong connections with both peers and professors. One of the best things about TCU is the small class sizes and how willing your professors are to go out of their way to help you. 

What are your plans after graduation?
BC: After graduation I will be moving to Dallas and starting my job as an electrical engineering associate at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. In the future, I plan to get my master’s degree in engineering management.

How did TCU help prepare you for your future career?
BC: Most engineering classes have labs, which I felt really prepared me for my future career. A lot of engineering is team-based, so learning how to work and communicate with different people has been a fundamental part of my education.

Was there any particular experience that was especially helpful?
BC: I interned at Lockheed for two summers and then continued my last internship into the school year. When you get a job out of college, you usually don’t really know what you’ll be doing and how your work fits into the company as a whole. Having internships allowed me to figure out exactly which part of the field I wanted to work in and made it much easier to make connections with the managers in those sections. Not only did the internships help expose me to the type of work I was getting into, but they also allowed me to get a foot in the door and land a really great job in the exact area I wanted!

Were you involved in any research during your time at TCU?
BC: I assisted Dr. Sue Gong with her research project for about a year. I also was a teaching assistant for many years for Circuits 1 and 2 for both Dr. Gong and Dr. Morgan Kiani. 

What makes TCU so special to you?
BC: The people. Everyone at TCU is so friendly, which makes for a great sense of community. I will definitely miss walking around campus — which is beautiful by the way — and seeing everyone.

Anything else to add?
BC: I am a Pi Beta Phi and held a few roles in my first few years. I am in the engineering professional club Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and was the president from 2019-2020. I am also in the engineering professional group Society of Women Engineers and was the public relations officer from 2019-2020.

Derek Isensee 
Arlington, Texas
B.S. in computer science and minor in studio art
Incoming software engineer, eBay, San Jose, California

What have you enjoyed most about being a Horned Frog?
DI: The thing I have enjoyed most about being a Horned Frog is all of the friendships I’ve made since coming here.

What are your plans after graduation?
DI: I plan on working full time in the Bay Area as a software engineer at eBay.

How did TCU help prepare you for your future career?
DI: TCU really prepared me for my job. My professors have been so hands-on, and they all really helped me get into the right mindset and work ethic needed for software engineering.

Was there any particular experience that was especially helpful?
DI: I loved all of my art classes, and I got to have so many cool experiences working with different mediums and going to see cool exhibits. Picking a “fun” minor was definitely the right decision to make.

Read more stories about career-ready Horned Frogs: TCU Class of 2021 Already Making an Impact