Posted on May 16, 2025 by Klesse College Staff
Grad '25 Viktor Östberg
Meet Viktor Östberg, a Spring 2025 graduate from the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design at UTSA. Drawn to the university by a strong sense of community and supportive faculty, Viktor pursued a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering after exploring other STEM disciplines. The academic journey has been shaped by a passion for problem-solving, a commitment to learning, and an appreciation for collaboration. In this Q&A, Viktor reflects on the experiences that sparked a love for engineering, the lessons gained at UTSA, and the mindset that helped make the most of every opportunity.
What made you decide to attend UTSA?
I chose to attend UTSA because, during my tour and conversations with professors, I could tell that they genuinely cared. Not only about what they were teaching but about their students.Their passion for education and mentorship stood out. At other schools that I visited, they seemed competitive even after you got accepted. It felt like having the best grades mattered more than actually learning. I had experienced that kind of environment in high school and I was looking for a place to gain skills for the engineering world. UTSA felt like a place where I was going to learn, become excited to learn, and be prepared for my future.
Did you have any experience with engineering before starting at Klesse College? If not, what inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
I had some early exposure to engineering through classes in middle and high school, which sparked my interest. But even before that I was drawn to science and technology. I loved watching science TV shows, learning about technology, and the people that paved ways for scientific advancements like Hedy Lamar, Madame Curie, and Nikola Tesla. I always knew I wanted to pursue something related to STEM, but I also wanted a field where creativity mattered. Engineering felt like a perfect blend of both.
What drew you into Electrical & Computer Engineering specifically?
I actually started in chemical and biomedical engineering, but I quickly realized that chemistry was not for me. Back in high school, I had taken a digital electronics class during my senior year and fell in love with it. The way that my teacher explained the concepts just made it all click for me. Honestly, what I had learned from that class helped me more times than I can count in college. When I switched majors, one of the first classes I took was Logic Design with Professor Morton. Getting a much deeper look into what I had learned about in high school refueled my love for circuits. That’s when I knew I was where I was supposed to be.
What did you enjoy most about your experience at UTSA?
What I enjoyed most about my experience at UTSA was the sense of community. When we were working with other engineers to prepare for tests, You could always count on the people around you for help or go find help together. Whether we were staying late at the Makerspace, reaching out over discord, or emailing each other for help there was always a sense of ‘we are in this together’. It was challenging but it was also fun. Those late night study sessions and group reverse engineering problems really stuck with me. It made the hard parts feel easier.
What have you learned, in your time at UTSA, that surprised you the most?
What surprised me most was how much my way of thinking has changed. Over time, I've learned to approach problems more systematically and logically. I can break it into smaller parts and think of multiple ways to solve it. I’ve always been a problem-solver at heart, with a natural curiosity on how things work, but UTSA expanded the way I am able to view the world. Now I am able to see the world through this deeper lens, where I’m able to understand how technology works on a fundamental level.
What are your goals or plans after graduation?
Last Summer, I interned at Dell Technologies and will be returning there full-time as a Quality Engineer starting in June. I am really excited to start my professional career at such a prestigious company. Outside of work, I want to continue exploring hobby electronics, just building and tinkering things for fun. I am excited to keep my curiosity alive both in my career and my free time.
What advice do you have for people considering the programs at UTSA?
Do not be afraid to go to office hours, whether it's with your professor or TA, they are there to help you. They'll offer much more support than you would expect. Also, study with other people. It is much easier to figure everything out with others than it is to alone. Try to land at least one internship. Unfortunately, it's one of the most effective ways to make sure that you will have a job after you graduate. And Join clubs, it doesn't have to be STEM related, as long as you have a group of friends is what matters. Most importantly: don't forget to eat, sleep, shower, and enjoy college. Treat yourself like a tamagotchi.
What is your life motto/ slogan?
I trust myself to figure it out eventually.
— Klesse College Staff
