Iris Mok graduated from Texas ECE in 2003 with an MS in Electrical Engineering. In celebration of Women's History Month, we sat down with Iris to learn more about what she is doing now and how Texas ECE helped lead to her success.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW.
I currently manage worldwide patent portfolios for Intel in the Autonomous and Client systems, which includes autonomous driving, robotics, drones, Artificial Intelligence PCs, and other intelligent devices as the Assistant Director of Patents. I work with our engineers every day to create intellectual property on cutting edge and next generation technologies that impact peoples' lives.
HOW DID YOU END UP AT UT AND WHAT PATH LED YOU THERE?
I was part of the Texas Executive Master's program majoring in software engineering. At that time, I was a software engineer at Lockheed Martin working on the F35 Joint Strike Fighter in Fort Worth. UT's Executive program provided me the opportunity to obtain my master's degree while working full time. I enjoyed the flexibility to commute to Austin on the weekends to attend classes in person.
WHO HAS BEEN A MAJOR INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE?
My father had always been a disciplinarian in my life. He instilled in me early on that only through education can I achieve success as it is something that no one can take away from me. Since then, I have worked extremely hard to support myself through college to achieve the highest education in my ability.
IF YOU COULD PROVIDE ONE POSITIVE MEMORY OF YOUR TIME AT UT THAT STANDS OUT WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
The way our classmates help each other during the program. Even though we are working professionals and have personal obligations that impact our studies, we took the program seriously. No matter if it is note taking, preparing for lectures, studying for exams, we tried to help each other to succeed. It was a positive environment to foster learning for all of us.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER IN ECE?
The day I walked across the stage at Frank Erwin Center to receive my master's degree. The excitement and feeling of accomplishment have never been so great in my life knowing that my hard work finally pays off when I obtained a graduate degree from one of the best engineering universities in the country.
WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I wish I had started my family earlier in my career. I focused so much on my career that I left little time for myself. Success is not only defined by your professional career but also personal relationships with your friends and family. At 47, I finally gave birth to my son who completely fulfilled my life.
ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD FOR OUR ALUMNI?
Go for the hardest thing you can do. I was originally a business major until my guidance counselor advised me that I should study engineering since I did so well in calculus. That advice totally changed my life. Now I look for challenges that I can learn from rather than mastering what I already know. Only through continuous learning can you improve yourself.
