Who I Am
My name is Joe Williams. I am a current 3rd year student at Northeastern University’s College of Engineering and a former active-duty Marine. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with minors in both Mathematics and Business Administration. My desire to study engineering stems from my current and past hobbies. At 16, troubleshooting, rebuilding, and rewiring small engines in my 1980’s Honda motorcycles piqued my interest in understanding the innerworkings of the machines around us. Since then, I have branched out from engines, pursuing projects such as: building quadcopter and fixed wing drones and homemade hybrid drive bicycle. I have also taught myself to work with electronics from microcontrollers to solar cells, soldering and welding. Outside of tactile building, I also am working towards mastering design and 3D print, both for school projects and to benefit my daily life.
My knowledge learned, experience gained, and skills acquired through academic and personal pursuits make me a well-rounded student, analytical thinker, and problem solving professional.
My professional goals are to design and see through manufacturing of tools that make a difference.
As a Marine, I want to be a part of a team that creates technology to improve the safety of our troops around the world.
Military Experience
I joined the United States Marine Corps in 2016 as a field radio operator (later called tactical transmission operator) and was assigned to the 9th Communication Battalion in Camp Pendleton California. My first deployment was in 2018 as part of a special purpose Marine air ground task force (SPMAGTF). I went with this small unit to the United Arab Emirates to a show of force mission called Native Fury. My responsibilities were to provide the unit with both internal and external, short- and long-range communication. I was promoted to Corporal, the first of the non-commissioned officer ranks, six months after returning. I graduated first in my class for Corporals course and was chosen by the company First Sergeant to be the company guide, a high honor. I taught and mentored many new Marines and just a year later, after a rigorous selection process, was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant.
I was then transferred to a new unit the quickly needed a Sergeant radio operator as one had dropped out before their deployment. I deployed in H&S Company, 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division to be attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, headquartered at Camp Hanson Okinawa, Japan. While there, I trained and lead a squad of Marines throughout our time on base, as well as on the USS America (LHA 6). We simulated assaults of Thai shores from the air and sea alongside Thai Marines. After returning from the seven-month deployment, I was posted on the United States- Mexico border in Southern California for three months to lead my Marines in assisting U.S. Customs and Border Control with their mission to secure the southern border. I left the Marine Corps in 2020 after being accepted into Northeastern University but remain active in local veteran organizations.
