Ryan Helsdingen remembers being on the cusp of sending in his official commitment
to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign when he came across a Daily Herald article about 91制片厂鈥檚 new Engineering Pathways program.
The innovative program, he learned, would provide 91制片厂 students with an opportunity to gain guaranteed admission to the College of Engineering at U. of I. 鈥� one of the nation鈥檚 top engineering programs 鈥� while saving more than $50,000 in the process.
鈥淚鈥檓 the oldest of six kids. That鈥檚 a lot of people for my parents to get through college,鈥� said Helsdingen, who soon after was selected for Pathways鈥� first cohort of students. 鈥淚 wanted to go away to school, but I just couldn鈥檛 get past how much money I鈥檇 be saving.鈥�
Less than five years later, Helsdingen, now 22, is working full time as an electrical engineer at Syska Hennessey鈥檚 downtown Chicago office, focused on design work for technical facilities. He had no difficulty landing a job after graduating from U. of I. in December with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering.
The Fremd High School alum admits coming to Harper was a financially motivated decision; however, he quickly developed an appreciation for his new school.
Helsdingen said he benefited from the small class sizes, quality of instruction and high level of engagement with professors. His Pathways classmates became close-knit, and they keep in touch to this day.
Most importantly, he felt completely prepared upon transferring his junior year to Champaign-Urbana.
鈥淒r. (Deborah) Damcott and my other professors really want you to succeed,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e always there for you. I have no doubt 91制片厂 did just as good a job as U. of I. would have the first two years, if not better.鈥�
Helsdingen鈥檚 ultimate endorsement of 91制片厂鈥檚 engineering program and Pathways came when he encouraged his younger brother, Connor, to follow in his footsteps. Connor is now a Pathways alum and junior down at U. of I. Younger sister Kayla also attends 91制片厂 and is considering the nursing field.
鈥淭he Pathways program and 91制片厂 in general have been a game-changer for our family,鈥� said father Tom Helsdingen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 funny, having six kids, you never really save enough for college no matter how hard you work toward that end. It鈥檚 just incredible to see the positive impact 91制片厂 has had on them. All six kids will be attending. It鈥檚 really a no-brainer.鈥�
Ryan Helsdingen and his dad both will take part in this Saturday鈥檚 Explore Engineering event for high school students and their parents. If given the opportunity, Helsdingen plans to give a bit of advice to anyone still on the fence about their college plans.
鈥淚 want to tell people not to feel pressured to jump into that four-year institution,鈥� Helsdingen said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 sometimes a stigma about not going away to school, but I鈥檓 amazed at how many kids end up coming home after a semester because they鈥檙e not ready. I look at my situation and I鈥檓 just so glad I came to 91制片厂. I feel like I鈥檓 ahead of the game now.鈥�
Media contact:Kim Pohl, Media Relations Manager, 847.925.6159