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Staff Spotlight: Jake Working Brings Engineering Background to Advising

Jacob Working, academic advisor in MSE
Jacob Working, academic advisor in MSE

Jake Working is the college’s undergraduate academic advisor for the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). He meets with students to help plan their courses for the next semester and year, helps with internship and co-op planning, advises the MSE Ambassador program, and answer any general questions about academics or the MSE department.

He applies a unique perspective for advising engineering students. It wasn’t that long ago that he was in their position.

“As I recently (within the last 5 years) graduated with an engineering degree, I usually still maintain that student perspective on courses or programming along with the curriculum,” said Working.

He graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 2017 with a BS in mechanical engineering and from the same institution in 2019 with his MS in engineering management.

“I always wanted to work in higher ed helping college students find their way,” he said. “After a brief stint in engineering industry, I knew higher ed was for me.”

In his UT role, Working enjoys working alongside professionals in their field and being immersed with our bright staff, faculty, and students. He also appreciates the East Tennessee region since settling here.

“I currently live in Alcoa after moving here from Indiana,” said Working. “That still isn’t close enough to the mountains for me.”

Working’s main hobby is running, and he completed his first Ultra in April 2021.

“I also enjoy hiking, driving, and listening to music, or any type of competition (including trivia),” he said.

Working and wife Stacia celebrated the birth of their daughter, Holland, in August of 2021.