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Student Orientation and Leadership Development

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Elias Askins

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Classification/Major: Junior, Mechanical Engineering

What is the most important piece of advice you would give new students?

  • Don’t be afraid of changing majors. It is common for students to fall into the mindset of sticking to a major, even though they are unhappy with it. Don’t worry so much about how long you’ll be in school. Instead, concentrate on working towards a degree you’ll be happy with and enjoy the time spent (however much it may be) getting it.

What is your most memorable UT experience so far?

  • My most memorable moment so far is probably being involved with orientation. I had a blast going through my orientation; it set a positive tone for the rest of the year. Now as an Orientation Leader, I get to help set that same tone for incoming freshmen.

How did you decide on your major?

  • When I first started at UT I had my heart set on Civil Engineering, in the College of Engineering. However, after taking a few classes and talking to upperclassmen I decided my interests were more along the lines of Mechanical Engineering. I feel that with a degree in Mechanical Engineering I can work on a vast range of different projects; anything from designing better vehicles to working on more life-like prosthetic limbs. I like that my major won’t tie me down to just one career after graduation.

Elias Askins

Contact Elias Askins

Student Orientation
412 Student Services Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996-0247
Phone: (865) 974-2435
Fax: (865) 974-1373
Email: easkins@utk.edu