Sean Cornish

Mechanical Engineer at JPL

Engineering Physics, B.S. '22

...rooting my education in Christ allowed me to go into the field excited to be the best engineer I can be and know that no matter the outcome of my efforts, my identity is not in my work, but in Christ.

How did your program at Biola prepare you for your career?

The deep understanding of physics that is at the root of the program allowed me to understand both classical mechanics, programming, and basic electronics. This background proves to be far more comprehensive than most people in the field are used to. Most of my colleagues are experts in one area or another, but Biola allowed me to experience a wider selection of engineering disciplines and pushed me to understand each of them fully.

What did you appreciate most about your time at Biola?

My time at Biola was most profoundly impacted by the emphasis on why we do what we do. Knowing that our identity is in Christ, we do not work for ourselves, but for His glory. That gives us the freedom to push ourselves hard, take risks, and dare to be exceptional because it is not our own notoriety we are seeking to build. It breaks my heart to know that there is no statistical difference between the average American worker and a Christian worker in terms of productivity or quality. I do not need a legacy or high paying salary to find meaning in life, but rooting my education in Christ allowed me to go into the field excited to be the best engineer I can be and know that no matter the outcome of my efforts, my identity is not in my work, but in Christ.

How did Biola equip you to be a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ?

Biola gave me a foundation to build a firm and confident worldview. The bible classes and philosophical discussions point to more than a surface level belief. And being in the sciences, you are confronted with hard questions all the time. But the integration seminar for physical sciences at Biola is a great example of how Biola not only is not afraid of the tough questions science asks but can find answers to them within the gospel.

What advice would you give to students considering your degree program?

Take all the physics classes seriously and get the most out of them as possible. They will be your technical leg up against everyone else in your career. Also, take all the bible classes as seriously as possible, because when you get to USC or any other school, the lack of biblical discussion becomes extremely apparent. The bible classes are the thing I have missed the most since leaving Biola.