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James Benson says he was drawn to Illinois Institute of Technology for its excellent faculty, research focus, and the Accelerated Master’s Program, which allows students to complete both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as few as five years.

“I really wanted to be able to achieve my goal in getting my master's since I knew the impact it would have on my career,” he says.

As a student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, James says he has particularly enjoyed the school culture.

“Here we care about the work we do and take pride in our accomplishments,” he says. 

In May 2022 James started an internship at , which specializes in space, aeronautics, defense, and cyberspace. He says the experience has improved his data analytics abilities, enhanced his communication skills, and given him “practical experience developing solutions that require significant understanding in the business world.”

At the end of summer 2022, Northrop Grumman offered to extend his internship, allowing it to seamlessly transition into the academic year, which he has continued ever since. He also has a standing job offer from the company post-graduation. When he graduates, he will already have two years of experience on the team. 

“Mentoring from an industry expert has been significant in the development of my skills and knowledge in many fields. This has helped in both professional and personal development,” says James.