October 31, 2024
By Chloe Arrington
Alumnus Jeremy Colton, B.S. ME 2021, M.S. ME 2022, had more than just an academic interest in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering when deciding which college would be the best fit for him. Growing up in Atlanta, Colton had deep connections to Georgia Tech through family and was exposed to its engineering programs and opportunities from an early age.
A Passion for STEM and a Family of Yellow Jackets
Colton discovered his love for math and science early in school, with AP Physics being his favorite high school subject. This enjoyment and aptitude naturally drew him towards a career in engineering, and with this, the decision on where to pursue it.
"Growing up in Atlanta and having a lot of exposure to the Woodruff School through my dad and summer camps, I think Georgia Tech was always the obvious choice," he recalls. Colton's father is Jonathan S. Colton, who holds the Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Professorship in Manufacturing in the Woodruff School, and he will be celebrating his fortieth year at Georgia Tech next year.
Along with this family connection, Colton has two cousins who are both proud Yellow Jackets, one a fellow Woodruff School graduate, and his younger brother Benjamin recently completed his bachelor's degree in computer science.
Colton embraced his time at Georgia Tech academically and socially, becoming engaged in several groups and organizations. He was involved in the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, Hillel, and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. Some of his fondest memories are of Georgia Tech game days. "Tailgating with friends and cheering at the game was so much fun. I try to make it back into town each season for a game or two," he said.
From College to Career
During his undergraduate years, he explored many opportunities, including multiple internships, which gave him experience in manufacturing and process flow. "These internships, along with my engineering degrees, led me to work in the factory automation industry today," said Colton.
Colton is now a design engineer at Amazon Robotics based in Seattle, working on robotic automation systems for material handling in Amazon fulfillment centers. He recently led retrofit projects that involved updating technology in their pre-existing buildings.
As someone who recently transitioned from college to the workforce, Colton believes current students should be open to various experiences and always think beyond the obvious. "Seek out a broad range of experiences in college," he said. "You never know what internship, project, or connection will put you on the path to future success. A Georgia Tech degree and a wide range of experiences will set you up for success across many industries."
Looking ahead, Colton sees his career following a similar technical track, but he also aspires for growth. "In the future, I could see myself as an engineering manager or something similar."
Once a Yellow Jacket...
This summer, Colton hiked the Mailbox Peak Trail in Washington state, proudly reaching the summit in a Georgia Tech mechanical engineering tee shirt. "I try to do a few hikes a month in the summer. There's so much nature to explore here in Seattle," he said.