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Student profile: 'This program is really helping me build a broad, versatile skillset'

Shuran Xu

Tell us a little about your professional and/or educational background.

I graduated from the University of Toronto in computer engineering in 2018 and have three years of full-time working experience and a year of internship experience. I specialize in embedded software and firmware fields. In 2021, I joined the embedded systems engineering program for my career advancement.

What made you decide to pursue a professional master’s in embedded systems engineering at CU Boulder?

The embedded systems engineering program at CU Boulder is absolutely a top tier program in North America. The comprehensive coverage of essential technologies and the tools provided for the program really help me build a broad, versatile skillset. Armed with such a wide range of skills, I am not only well prepared for the job market but also for entrepreneurial activities, like launching my own startup one day. 

I was already working in the field when I began looking for graduate programs, and I already knew what I wanted from a program. I wanted to find a program that taught the best in terms of embedded systems engineering. I narrowed my scope to North America because that is where I am familiar with. CU Boulder stood out from the crowd because of the level of quality, the coverage of the courses, and the reputation of the school in the field. 

What is the most interesting thing you learned or explored during your time in the program?

During my time in the program, I have been doing my best to learn everything I can in both the hardware and software fields. I am fascinated by the projects people have made on their own out of this program. One of the most interesting things is in my current course. I am learning to build hardware, such as PCB layout and firmware for marketable low-power products, from scratch, in less than four months. Both the development experience and the wealth of knowledge garnered from the lectures really promotes myself to the next level in my career development. I was a software person before entering the program, now I no longer consider myself just a software person because I can do both software and hardware. This really opens a lot of opportunities for myself in embedded systems fields.

My two favorite classes were Low Power Embedded Design Techniques (ECEN 5833) and Real-Time Embedded Systems (ECEN 5623). Also, Embedded Systems Design (ECEN 5613) helped me gain a lot of essential and fundamental skills for the embedded systems field. 

What do you hope to do after you finish your degree?

In the short term, I am trying to land a full-time job offer for after I graduate. In the long run, I might try to launch my own startup. My career goal is to specialize in embedded firmware design, but I won’t limit myself to this specific field. I am also open to software or hardware design. I want to stretch myself to multiple fields so that in the future, I can oversee the whole project and promote myself as not just being a technical person but also a technical manager so that I can hone the product all the way from design to implementation.  

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing a professional master’s in embedded systems engineering?

You should do your best to explore as many different fields as possible. Take both software- and hardware-related courses, so you can find what you are really passionate about. It is also really helpful to have internship or professional working experience in the field because experience matters a lot in this field. The two fundamental courses, embedded systems design and embedded firmware, help build up a really solid foundation for firmware development. 

I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to pursue embedded systems fields. Work experience has definitely helped me to get through my courses because it gave me a solid background in the field.

 When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

I am new to Boulder so when I have time, I like to be outdoors and hike with my friends.