Alumni Profile
Seth Humphreville

Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering '07

Seth Humphreville’07 is a former bartender and an athlete who believes there is much more to college than studying. In fact, even though he has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, Humphreville doesn’t fit the common perception of an engineer.  Nevertheless, he is progressing and thriving as one.

Humphreville is enrolled in a program with Goodrich Aerostructures near San Diego, in which he spends 5-10 weeks working in a different area of engineering focus in the company with the goal of finding the best fit. He views it as an unusually good opportunity. “This is a great way for me to explore my options and choose which field I’d really enjoy working in.”  He learned of the opportunity through a friend who served in an internship at Goodrich, demonstrating the importance of networking, he says.

Humphreville credits much of his success to the education he received at Davis. He feels that the university and city provided him with many opportunities, since, he feels, both are uniquely geared toward students. Humphreville says the clubs and activities he participated in prepared him well for the hands-on work he is now doing. “These programs, like Aerobrick, Formula SAE, and hands-on labs, show you what really happens. It’s one thing to read about physics and engineering in a textbook, and a completely new thing to actually experience it.” As a result, he feels that he is better qualified than many. Humphreville believes that his outlook on life and the world is largely the result of the university’s first-rate study abroad program, and has fond memories of his year abroad in Australia and the people he met there. “Everyone should study abroad,” he says. “It changes your perspective on the world.”

Humphreville feels like he has already accomplished a lot, and sees no end to what he can do.  He hopes to go back to school for a masters degree eventually and would someday like to start his own business. Meanwhile, he sees engineering as the source of constant innovation, and wants to play a role by developing new technology that will make processes easier and more efficient.