Hey there! I’m Akram, a junior Bachelor of Engineering student at Wake Forest University. I love exploring the intersections of technical design, problem-solving, and business strategy whether I'm building impact-resistant micro-enclosures in the engineering lab or analyzing capital markets. Off the clock, I stay highly active on campus as a Career Pathways Initiative Fellow, an ACC Leadership Representative, and an executive officer for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. As a first-generation college student and a Magnolia Scholar, I know exactly what it takes to navigate the college transition, maximize campus resources, and build a meaningful network. I’m excited to share an inside look at the Wake Forest experience, our collaborative culture, and what it’s really like to balance rigorous academics with thriving campus leadership!

Hometown

Newark, New Jersey​/​USA

Major(s)

Mechanical and Electrical

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. (Lambda Eta Chapter) Leadership Position: Keeper of Records and Seal Wake Forest University – ACC Leadership Symposium Leadership Position: University Representative Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) Role: Fellow

Describe your college experience

Transitioning to college as a first-generation student was a huge shift, but joining the Magnolia Scholars community early on gave me a massive head start. Balancing the intense workload of a Wake Forest engineering major with finance fellowships and campus leadership wasn't easy at first, but it forced me to master time management. My experience so far has been incredibly rewarding I've gone from building cardboard projects freshman year to engineering high-security control systems and landing corporate internships, which has shown me just how much you can achieve here if you actively leverage the community around you

Tip for future students

I wish I’d known how important it is to step outside your academic comfort zone early on don’t be afraid to mix and find new fields like, because those unique combos open the best doors. Also, build relationships with your professors and upperclassmen right away; the Wake Forest network is incredibly tight-knit, and the community here genuinely wants to help you succeed if you just reach out.

Favorite class

My favorite class has definitely been EGR 311: Control Systems & Instrumentation. It was the first time everything we learned in the classroom really clicked in a practical way; my team got to design and build an impact-resistant, high-security 'vault' enclosure smaller than a Rubik's cube, coding algorithms to separate actual theft patterns from background noise. It was intense and required a ton of iterative troubleshooting, but actually balancing the real-world trade-offs between battery life, mechanical reliability, and acoustic output was incredibly rewarding.

Career goals

After college, I want to work at the intersection of engineering innovation and business strategy. Having experience in both product design and capital markets, my goal is to go into a role like tech consulting, product management, or a specialized engineering position where I can build functional, sustainable products while also understanding the financial and market drivers that make them successful.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night is all about unplugging and finding a good balance usually starting with catching up and laughing with my line brothers and friends, grabbing a great meal, and then winding down by either listening to music or working out​/​sports.

High school or secondary school

Northstar Academy Washington Park Highschool Newark New Jersey​/​ USA