Eliana Durkee

Class of 2025

Degree: BSE

Program: Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science

Industry: Aerospace and Defense

Hometown: Falls Church, VA

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"Every day at work, I am using equations and concepts I learned in classes at Duke, to the point that I have a PDF of my senior design textbook saved on my work computer."

Eliana Durkee smiles in a white dress near the Duke Chapel.
Eliana Durkee

Why I Chose Duke Engineering

I chose Duke Engineering because it is a program that allows students to be interdisciplinary and pursue other passions at the same time. I wasn’t sure what type of engineering I wanted to do when I entered college, and I wanted a program that would let me explore different paths along the way. In particular, the first-year design program was appealing, as well as the ability to easily take courses in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences when I wanted to.

Before Duke Engineering

I did not have any engineering background before attending Duke, but I loved math and physics in high school. A family friend recommended I try engineering in college, and the rest is history.

After Duke Engineering

I just graduated in May 2025, and I now work at Pratt & Whitney as a design engineer for one of the military jet engines. Every day at work I am using equations and concepts I learned in classes at Duke, to the point that I have a PDF copy of my senior design textbook saved on my work computer. Duke Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science is a particularly special program because it is so collaborative, and I have really been able to take the team work and communication skills curated there into the work place

5 Ways to Maximize Your Time at Duke

  1. Don’t be afraid to have fun along the way. This is so important for mental health and sometimes even comes in handy for your career. The job I have now I got after an interview where we talked about tenting and how that had shaped my college path.

  2. Get to know a variety of people. Your Duke networking isn’t just about alumni; it’s about the connections you’re making right now with your peers.

  3. That being said…get to know alumni! Some of the best conversations and advice I got during my time at Duke was from alumni.

  4. Dig a little deeper. Don’t stop at the surface level aspects of your campus jobs and classes. One of the most rewarding experiences I had at Duke was being a TA for classes because I spent hours prepping and getting to know the students.

  5. Be kind for no reason. Really this should be first, but just being kind will bring so much good karma and could be the reason someone else’s Duke experience is better.