The College of Engineering’s Class of 2022 came to the University of Rhode Island from all over the world to pursue a top-notch education that would lead to a successful career in engineering.
Below are a few facts and figures about this diverse group, along with some information about this year’s student commencement speaker, Jessica McLaughlin, salary information for some of the most common fields of the graduates and a few photos from commencement.
- 61% of 322 graduates are from 39 cities and towns within Rhode Island
- 39% from 11 different U.S. states and countries throughout the world
- 18% of the graduate are students of color
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67 of our 322 graduates are “first generation” college graduates
- Among the companies that hired 2022 graduates: Naval Undersea Warfare Center, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Amgen, Raytheon
One of the highlights of the 2022 commencement was toward the end of the ceremony when Shaun Thurber proposed to his girlfriend and fellow electrical engineering graduate Kelsey Reed.
Commencement Speaker: Jessica McLaughlin
Jessica is an ocean engineering major with minors in mathematics, marine biology, and robotics engineering from Long Island, NY. She has been an active member of the Society of Women Engineers since her freshman year and was this year’s chapter president. Jessica was also a senior mentor in the First Year Women in Engineering Mentor Program, a College of Engineering Connect Program mentor, and a College of Engineering Student Ambassador. Previously, she was a resident academic mentor (RAM) in the engineering Living Learning Community and was co-chair of URI’s E-Week in 2020.
Besides extracurriculars, Jessica was an undergraduate research assistant in the Robotics Laboratory for Complex Underwater Environments where she worked on depth hardening an underwater vehicle. In 2021, she interned for the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program, where she helped develop the “sipper” system for the autonomous collection of water samples on a robotic platform.
Upon graduation, she will be an engineering assistant with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution aboard a research vessel off the coast of Oregon for three months. In September, she will participate in OceanX’s Young Explorers Program, where she will learn about ocean exploration, media and science communication, and leadership, aboard a marine research and media vessel in the Netherlands.
Engineering Salaries
| Industry | Mean Entry-Level Salary¹ | Mean Annual Salary² | Top 10 Percent³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Engineering | $63,575 | $101,020 | $154,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $68,797 | $121,840 | $187,430 |
| Civil Engineering | $59,892 | $95,490 | $133,320 |
| Electrical Engineering | $68,819 | $107,890 | $162,930 |
| Environmental Engineering | $58,808 | $100,220 | $153,200 |
| Industrial Engineering | $70,496 | $95,200 | $129,620 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,682 | $97,000 | $136,210 |
| Mechatronics Engineering | $80,735 | $86,000¹ | $127,000¹ |
| Robotics Engineering | $80,735 | $86,000¹ | $127,000¹ |
1: Figures from payscale.com, accessed May 2022
2, 3: Figures from National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, United States Department of Labor, dated May 2021
