My First Love
Tom Perkins
T
oday, I am an IEEE Life Senior
Member, residing in New
Hampshire and in the work
force for 47 years. When I got my
first professional job, I had an asso-
ciate degree from Trenton Junior
College [(TJC) now Mercer County
Community College] and a B.S.E.E.
from Monmouth College (now
Monmouth University) in West Long Branch, New Jersey.
My first job offer was from IBM. I refused the offer,
saying I was not really interested in
computers or computer program-
ming. The hiring manager literally
took off his college ring (lots of
folks had class rings in those days,
including me, and it cost about
US$40.00 in 1966), tossed it across
the table at me, and said I was
making the biggest mistake of my
life by not joining IBM. Basically he
said how dare someone who scored
so high on his special college
recruitment test turn down an offer
to work for the finest company any-
where. If I remember correctly, he
said I was the only member of my
class that passed the test. Incidentally, I credit my score to
my practical knowledge gleaned from ham radio as much
as my formal education. I later gained a large respect for
computing, both hardware and software.
My first job was with Jersey Central Power and Light
Company ( JCP&L) near Morristown, New Jersey. My
background preparation was working in various appren-
tice roles at Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) for
two previous summers. Also, in those days, the two-year
technical school still had a lab full of motors/generators
and circuit breakers, and I knew what VAR (volt-amperes
reactive) meant. Ironically, PSE&G would not hire me
when I graduated because Monmouth College did not,
up to that time, have certain engineering accreditations
(ABET today).
I left JCP&L after three years because my real desire
was to work in radio frequency and microwaves. Looking
back, although I was apparently successful at power
engineering, based on my performance reviews and
increased responsibilities, it was an excellent move. I
chose the microwave industry because it was my “first
love” in electrical engineering. I became an amateur
“ham” radio operator at age 14 and was hooked on the
technology from then on. I immediately dropped my
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MPOT.2013.2272971
Date of publication: 4 November 2013
44
membership in the IEEE Power Engineering Society and
joined the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Soci-
ety in 1969. Incidentally, in June, I met our new IEEE New
Hampshire Section student chapter coordinator, who is
one year out of University of New Hampshire and work-
ing in the electric utility field because of all the chal-
lenges ahead (such as the smart grid). I told him that
without power nothing else would function and that he
made a wise career choice.
I feel I was well prepared for both fields, as Monmouth
in those days had a strong influence from Fort Monmouth
and good math, electromagnetic,
device, and microwave courses.
Sadly, from my perspective, the
only engineering courses at Mon-
mouth University now are in com-
puter science, and Fort Monmouth
is closed (a more recent event).
My first mentor with regard to
joining IEEE was Donald Suppers,
who had major roles in IEEE as well
as teaching at TJC. When I joined it
was still the Institute of Radio Engi-
neers but shortly after became IEEE.
My first work mentor at the electric
© ingram publishing utility company was Herbert E.
Blaicher. He was a big supporter of,
and advocate for, the IEEE. I learned many years later that
he was a highly decorated combat veteran from World War
II. He was modest and never mentioned that to me.
My first mentor in the microwave field was Bill Blaisdell,
who may have not possessed an engineering degree but, in
a fledgling field, many of the good designers had learned
on the job. Degree or not, he sure knew his subject matter
and was writing his own CAD programs long before it was
“fashionable.” Bill worked previously with Penfield and
Rafuse-varactor multipliers.
Highs and lows
As far as my most disappointing moment, perhaps it
was being laid off (around age 44). Usually, as I can well
attest to, a layoff can be turned into an opportunity that far
outways the momentary let-down. I was unemployed for
about one day. When I observe or suffer the consequences
of someone who I think is taking advantage of me, or
taking advantage of a situation for his or her own gain,
with little regard for others, or maybe exhibits questionable
ethics, I pause and think: someone likely hired them and
maybe made a poor choice. If I remember correctly, the
Myers-Briggs test says I’m an INTJ (introversion intuition,
thinking, judgment), which makes life in the corporate
world a bit challenging.
My proudest achievement in my first year was probably
having work orders issued based on my recommendations
IEEE POTENTIALS
 to accommodate growing power demand. More impor-
tantly, successfully communicating needs and study results
to management was rewarding.
The most important thing I learned during my first year
on the job was that teamwork is necessary, and being a
good listener is very important. Also, good experience in
solving problems (which is what engineers are paid to do)
requires tenacity and will not always result in success as
defined by schedules.
We learn by making mistakes and are generally
respected for having experience. Do not limit your oppor-
tunities. There is always something new to learn or even
invent—and it’s fun! Balance your professional activities
between technical pursuits and getting to know people.
Networking can happen without purposely doing it. Plan
on being a mentor and become a volunteer as early in your
career as possible. Sharing knowledge has many benefits.
If I could go back to my first day on the job, I would
advise myself to be a better listener but not be afraid to
ask questions. Never pass up an opportunity. Later might
not happen. In microwaves, I had the pleasure of meeting
many of the first-generation “giants” in our field. I am now
70 years old. I received six patents (all microwave related)
since age 50 and, although officially retired, am a senior
technical editor for a publication. I am also consulting on
microwave space programs. It just keeps getting better!
Have you ever picked up a mag-
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Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MPOT.2013.2285022
november/december 2013
About 40 years after my first day on the job, as a volun-
teer for IEEE (Region 1 Awards chair, 2008 and 2009), I
reconnected with one of my former colleagues from JCP&L,
who likewise volunteered over a long period of time as IEEE
Awards chair for the IEEE North Jersey Section. His name is
Ken Oexle, who I believe stayed in the electric utility field
his entire career. How neat it is to have this common bond
of IEEE to bring us together. I have a talk I like to give to
IEEE groups and students called “The NERDs Won!”—and I
believe we did.
About the author
Tom Perkins (tomperkins@ieee.org) is a retired
microwave engineer from BAE Systems, Nashua, New
Hampshire. He currently is a technical consultant and
also is senior technical editor for High Frequency Elec-
tronics magazine. An IEEE Life Senior Member, Tom has
served in numerous IEEE positions including Microwave
Theory and Techniques Chapter chair, New Hampshire
Section chair, International Microwave Symposium
steering committees, Region 1 awards chair, Life Member
Affinity Chapter chair, and he is currently the Region 1
Northeast Area chair. He has been a licensed amateur
radio operator since 1957 and holds six patents. He has
been married for 47 years and has two children and four
grandchildren.
Image courtesy of Stock.xchng/Mario Alberto & Magallanes Trejo
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