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Jordan has won awards—including first place team in the Experiential Learning Expo, and for Best Supplemental Instructor for tutoring students in Physics 151. And he’s gained confidence in his future.

The mechanical and biological engineering major says he’s come a long way since starting his classes here a few years ago.

“I’ve grown so much, I almost don’t recognize myself,” Mazurek said. “When I was in high school I felt a little lost. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after graduation.”

Mazurek said, when he kept giving reasons why college wouldn’t be the right for him, his parents continued to encourage him to apply to universities—especially his father’s alma mater, UM-Dearborn.

“I’ve always liked shop classes and working with my hands—creating something that starts as an idea and now has a useful existence. I didn’t want to sit back; I wanted to actively do something,” he said. “My dad got his engineering degree here and he’s been successful. So I applied. When I came to campus, I could see why my dad liked it.”

Mazurek said the engineering classes he took had the hands-on feel he wanted. He found camaraderie with fellow students. He got connected with work opportunities through the College of Engineering and Computer Science Co-op program and started building his résumé.

“Getting my internship as a design engineer for GE (General Electric) in Louisville, Ky., was a big step for me. Not only did I learn what a professional work environment was like, I also became more independent personally,” he said. “I also thought it was fun that I worked on air conditioners that were made for Disney. So some of my work is now at the happiest place on Earth.”

Marurek said that position helped him land his current engineering job at Hanon Systems, where he works internationally on automotive product processes.

“I work with labs all over the world—Mexico, Czech Republic, Korea—and make sure our products are doing what they are supposed to do,” he said. “I found the job through the college.”

At the end of his undergraduate journey, Mazurek said he’s grateful for the people he’s met and the experiences he’s had as a Wolverine.

“Graduation is a bittersweet feeling. I’m going to miss my professors and friends on campus. But I’m not going to miss being at the library until midnight studying for an exam,” he said with a laugh.

“I can’t imagine not taking advantage of something that has gotten me this far. No one knows 100 percent what the future holds, but I have so much confidence in mine now. This campus was the right place for me.”