Inspiring Graduate: Easton Sailer, B.S. Computer & Electrical Engineering

Inspiring Graduate: Easton Sailer (’25)

• Hometown: Pound
• Degree: B.S. Computer & Electrical Engineering
• Minors: Mathematics, Computer Science

Easton Sailer chose UW-Stout because it was close to home, for its excellent value and because his dad earned his master’s degree here. He was also drawn to the university’s strong computer and electrical engineering program.

“UW-Stout emphasizes hands-on learning and practical experience – something I value more than the traditional, theory-focused approach found at other schools,” Sailer said.

“I aim to make a meaningful impact in my field by leveraging my expertise in both software and hardware to enhance system-level efficiency, enabling the development of larger, more capable systems that operate with lower power consumption,” he said.

He completed internships with nVent and Hewlett Packard Enterprises – two companies in the data center and high-performance computing sectors. “These experiences allowed me to apply my classroom learning to real-world engineering challenges, while contributing to meaningful projects in my field,” he said.

Sailer earned his CEE degree and minors in mathematics and computer science and crossed the commencement stage on Dec. 20 as one of 527 UW-Stout graduates. He was hired before graduation as an electrical hardware engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Chippewa Falls.

He plans to work in the industry for three to five years before returning to school to pursue a master’s degree in computer and electrical engineering. 

“Gaining real-world experience first will allow me to solidify my interests and make a more informed decision about my area of specialization. Currently, I’m especially interested in data centers and high-performance computing and the opportunities they offer for innovation,” he said.

How has UW-Stout prepared you to work in your field?

UW-Stout has prepared me to work in my field by combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on lab experience, giving me a strong foundation in both understanding concepts and applying them in practical settings. 

My favorite experience was in the Controls and Instrumentation Lab, a class where I learned to program PLCs and HMIs – skills that are widely used in the automation industry and directly relevant to real-world engineering applications. 

I completed two internships that further strengthened my practical experience. At nVent, in Anoka, Minnesota, I was a controls/electrical engineering intern, working on high-density liquid cooling units for data center servers and performing pre-production testing to ensure units functioned correctly before mass production.

At Hewlett Packard Enterprise, I tested power components for future systems, developed evaluation plans for a new coolant distribution method for supercomputers and created programs to visualize signal integrity data. 

What stands out about your UW-Stout experience?

What stands out most about my UW-Stout experience is the strong emphasis on hands-on lab work that complements theoretical learning, allowing me to apply concepts in practical settings. 

I also greatly appreciate the professors, who genuinely care about the success of their students and are always willing to provide guidance. Additionally, the program’s focus on internships ensures students gain real-world experience, which has been invaluable in preparing me for my career.

How did your campus involvement impact your experience? 

I was involved in the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) student chapter for all four years of my studies. As a freshman, I participated as a general member, attending workshops to learn more about electrical engineering and explore different areas within the field. During my sophomore year, I was elected as the digital media coordinator, where I created advertisements for on-campus signage and managed the club’s social media accounts to promote events and workshops. 

In my junior year, I was elected president of the chapter, which allowed me to lead workshops, run board meetings, and collaborate with other officers to organize industry partner presentations and career development activities.

My involvement in IEEE significantly enhanced my college experience by helping me build leadership, communication, and technical skills, while connecting with peers and professionals in the industry.

What challenges did you face in earning your degree and how did you overcome them? 

Throughout my bachelor’s degree, I faced several challenges that ultimately helped shape me into a stronger engineer and student. Finding my first internship was especially difficult because, while I had hands-on experience as a maintenance technician at an injection molding factory, I lacked substantial engineering experience outside of the classroom. After months of persistence and continuous improvement of my résumé and interview skills, I finally secured my first engineering-related internship at nVent. 

Another major challenge was our yearlong capstone project with VibeTech, a company developing vibration-based rehabilitation machines for nursing homes. Their openness to any possible solution meant our team had to carefully narrow down the project’s scope to something realistic for two semesters, which taught us the importance of defining requirements early. We also had to develop strong team coordination and time-management skills to keep the project moving. 

As the system architect, I was responsible for outlining how all components would integrate, identifying bottlenecks before they occurred, and ensuring the system’s overall feasibility. These skills challenged me but ultimately made me a better engineer.

What are you most proud of as you finish your degree?

Looking back, I am extremely proud of myself for finishing this program. If you had asked me in high school what I would be doing four years later, I would have guessed welding or electrical work. Instead, I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and for the people who encouraged me to pursue engineering, allowing me to grow far beyond what I once thought possible.