Peter Cho pays it forward as an adjunct professor

Teresa Donnellan — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 17:30:20 +0000

Peter Cho pays it forward as an adjunct professor Teresa Donnellan Wed, 09/18/2024 - 13:30

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Adjunct Professor Peter Cho attributes his successful career to a series of well-informed advisers. He appreciates the opportunity to pay forward that kindness as an adjunct professor of mechanical engineering.

“Advising is very, very important, because at certain points of life, you cannot make an easy decision, but somebody–your friend or your parents or your pastor or somebody– can give you the advice you need,” said Cho.

Peter Cho, Photo Provided

When Cho immigrated to the United States from South Korea just before 1980, he found work as a janitor. A friend suggested he become a car mechanic instead, so Cho enrolled in a vocational school for training. There, an instructor offered to write him a recommendation to pursue an associate’s degree at the local community college.

At Middlesex Community College in Bedford, Massachusetts, a calculus teacher suggested Cho continue beyond his associate’s degree to pursue a bachelor’s in engineering at University of Massachusetts – Lowell.

Cho said that while he didn’t exactly choose his specialty, “it was kind of a natural progression, step by step.” He added, “It was a blessing, because I had really wonderful teachers and friends.”

Until graduating with a master’s degree, Cho was employed part-time in addition to being a student.

“I understand the students who have part-time jobs and are pursuing school,” he said. “I love George Mason University, because there are a lot of students doing that. I understand how difficult that is, and, sometimes vice versa, how fulfilling that is.”

As an undergraduate, Cho chose to switch to electrical engineering from mechanical engineering upon the advice of some fellow Korean immigrants, who informed him that the field was booming in the Boston area. As Cho approached graduation for his master’s in electrical engineering, a professor suggested he stay on for a PhD.

As a PhD student with a wife and two small children, when Cho was struggling financially with only the graduate student stipend, a recruiter from the United States Navy’s Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, informed him that, as a civilian engineer, Cho could complete his degree on salary. The opportunity entailed an obligation to work for U.S. Naval Warfare Centers for a number of years, which Cho saw as job security.

He worked in Providence, Rhode Island, while earning his PhD in electrical engineering, and he chose to continue working for the U.S. Navy for the following 28 years. Now, Cho relishes sharing all he’s learned with the engineers of the future, especially at George Mason.

Cho teaches the Naval Engineering course, among others. His courses incorporate elements of business education to prepare students for the practical demands of professional engineering.

Cho has a unique perspective on being an adjunct member of faculty. He explained that, although adjuncts don’t make a lot of money, the position affords him the freedom to choose whether he wants to teach any given class. Moreover, he finds the position extremely fulfilling. He is passionate about instilling confidence about the future in his students.

“They need the future, and the future means hope after they graduate,” explained Cho. He tries to provide his students with an idea of the job market and roles available to them upon graduation. In addition, Cho seeks to give his students a feeling of accomplishment.

“Every class, every semester, I got a gift. It's all these gifts from potentially the best country in the world that gave me opportunities.” said Cho. “Now I get to give it to the next generation.”

Topics

mechanical engineering

Naval research

Adjunct Faculty