Seth Cain

It seemed that Cain was destined for a career in engineering. At a young age, he recalls being captivated by the story of the Titanic and how the tragedy led to advancements in ship design and navigation. His fascination grew in high school when he discovered physics, especially how natural forces and movements could be explained through mathematical laws. These early interests laid the foundation for his future career.

I wanted to be an engineer who could design anything, as long as I could help make the design better in some meaningful way," Cain reflects. I wanted to make the world a better place.

Cain acknowledges that his success didn't come solely from his own efforts. He credits his magnet high school teachers, who had backgrounds as scientists and engineers, with helping him see how his talents aligned with a career in engineering. "No one in my family had that background," Cain says.

After high school, Cain attended the University of Maryland, where he gained hands-on experience through two pivotal internships. One as a research assistant in a lab focused on efficiency gains in refrigeration cycle systems, and the other as part of an engineering co-op at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, where he worked on motor vehicle safety. These experiences underscored the importance of prioritizing environmental concerns and public safety in his work.

Following a successful 25-year career as an engineer for various manufacturing businesses, Cain found his true calling as a professor at CCBC—a role he loves and intends to continue until retirement. His work, both in the field and the classroom, is guided by a simple yet powerful belief: there is always a better way to do something.

While Cain's career path has always leaned toward engineering, he believes that students can start preparing for the field by cultivating a positive mindset.

Use your imagination every chance you get. Being a person with an imagination will help you succeed in your career and have fun. Believe in your ability to learn new things. Do not ever think of yourself as stupid, a slow learner or a bad student. You have the brains to do whatever you set your mind to do. Always remember that!