John Murphy and Felix Hong have traversed unique yet parallel journeys, from serving their country to pursuing advanced degrees through Dartmouth’s online Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering (MEng). Both veterans are applying the discipline and skills they honed in the military to tackle intellectually enriching challenges in hardware and software engineering. Here’s a glimpse into their stories and what drives them as they navigate the online program.
John Murphy: Bridging the Gap Between Software and Hardware
After spending five years in the Navy, including a deployment to Iraq, John Murphy transitioned to civilian life with a drive to excel in both entrepreneurship and technology. His career evolved from leading construction projects in aerospace and defense to launching two small businesses focused on industrial IoT (Internet of Things) solutions. Despite this series of accomplishments and creating a balancing act between his career and being a father to three young children, John sought out more opportunities for personal growth.
“I needed more formal education,” John said. “I wanted something between software and hardware—where the industrial IoT space lives for me.”
When John received an email from Coursera about Dartmouth’s program, the timing couldn’t have been better. With his Post-9/11 GI Bill expiring in 2029, he knew this was his opportunity to explore getting his master’s degree. Dartmouth’s program was a perfect fit—offering flexibility, rigorous coursework, and a balance between software and hardware engineering.
For John, the online format was non-negotiable. “I’m a working dad with three young kids,” he said. “The flexibility was critical. Dartmouth’s program is everything I could have hoped for—small, well-thought-out, and curated.”
Despite the online format, the hands-on nature of the program stood out to John, particularly the Embedded Systems course, where students received hardware kits at home to debug real systems. “It was so practical and directly relevant to what I do every day,” he shared.
Balancing work, family, and school is no small feat, but John credits his military background for preparing him to handle intense pressure. “The curriculum is challenging—10 weeks packed with an entire semester’s worth of material,” he said. “But I don’t want to just get by. I want to do well.”
Collaboration has also been key to his success. The program’s Slack community fosters a sense of camaraderie allowing learners to stay in touch and help each other throughout the program. John notes, “The students are incredibly supportive. My team from the first course still keeps in touch, even though we’re scattered across the globe.”
Felix Hong: From IT in the Army to Engineering the Future
Born and raised in Hawaii, Felix Hong discovered his passion for computers early in life, which led him to pursue a degree in computer engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. After graduating in 2020, Felix sought a way to align his career with his academic background.
His military experience, which included IT support, computer networking, and satellite communications, reinforced his fascination with how computers communicate across the world. “In the military, I had to figure out how to solve problems in remote locations, often with limited resources,” Felix explained. “That taught me how to adapt and work with people from different cultures and backgrounds.”
When Felix’s wife came across Dartmouth’s program on LinkedIn, she encouraged him to apply. The asynchronous format and flexibility were perfect for his schedule as a contractor working in classified environments. “Dartmouth’s reputation as an Ivy League school and the birthplace of AI sealed the deal for me,” he said.
Like John, Felix has found the Embedded Systems course to be a highlight. Challenges arose during courses like Natural Language Processing (NLP), which pushed him to break down abstract concepts into tangible results. “It’s like chemistry—you don’t understand table salt until you see the elements come together,” he explained.
Felix sees a bright future in engineering fields like quantum computing and AI-driven cybersecurity, where he hopes to address critical challenges like quantum-resistant encryption. “The current algorithms aren’t prepared for the age of quantum computing,” he said. “I’d love to work on devices that push the boundaries of security and communication.”
The program’s interactive elements have impressed Felix, particularly the professors’ active presence on Slack. “It’s great to get immediate updates or ask questions about coursework,” he said.
Deployed in Guam, Felix credits the military with instilling the structure and discipline needed to succeed. “In the service, life is organized chaos,” he said. “You know each day starts with the bugle and ends with the flag coming back down the flagpole.” With civilian life being a bit more abstract and open-ended, Felix is grateful for the structure that higher education provided him, and the opportunities he knows a Dartmouth degree will bring.
Shared Values, Unique Paths
For both John and Felix, Dartmouth’s online MEng program offers more than just technical expertise—it provides a community of like-minded peers and an opportunity to grow beyond their military experiences.
Whether it’s John applying industrial IoT solutions or Felix tackling quantum computing challenges, both veterans embody the resilience, adaptability, and curiosity needed to excel in engineering and beyond. As they continue their journeys, we thank them for their service and wish them well on their road to graduation.
