Alumni Spotlight: Benjamin O’Donnell – Forging his own path
When Benjamin O’Donnell began exploring potential college majors, he knew two things for certain: he was interested in engineering and he loved chemistry. His research led him to materials science and engineering, a field that checked all the boxes for the kind of work he envisioned pursuing after graduation.
O’Donnell had many reasons for choosing Penn State’s nationally ranked materials program: strong job placement, walkable campus, and proximity to home. It didn’t take him long to feel at home in the MatSE. “The professors were knowledgeable, helpful, and always willing to spend time with you,” O’Donnell said.
Originally drawn to polymers, he imagined developing a playground material that would stay cool to the touch even after hours in the hot sun. But as he explored the breadth of disciplines within materials science, he discovered that metallurgy came more naturally to him than polymers and ultimately captured his interest.
During his sophomore year, representatives from Ellwood City Forge Group visited one of his classes. Even though they announced they were not seeking interns, O’Donnell handed them his résumé anyway. That single moment of initiative set the stage for a year long relationship. He kept in touch with Ellwood’s team, emailing updates on his coursework and sharing progress on academic projects. That next year when Ellwood’s scholarship competition opened, they already knew his name and his drive. He earned both the scholarship and a competitive internship.
That internship proved transformational. O’Donnell wasn’t given busywork, he was entrusted with real engineering challenges, including failure analyses worth tens of thousands of dollars and hands on investigations on the shop floor. “The culture was so family oriented,” he said. "I never felt like an intern."
O’Donnell graduated in 2023 with his bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering. Today, as a metallurgical engineer at Elwood, O’Donnell works primarily with aerospace clients, helping forge and heat-treat high-performance alloys destined for aircraft and even space applications. He credits Penn State with giving him the scientific foundation and confidence to succeed, “Materials science takes a curious mind. You must keep asking why. Penn State taught me how to do that.”
The foundational skills and mindset O’Donnell built at Penn State continue to shape his career defined by curiosity, resilience, and purpose.