Jackson Wehr
Jackson Wehr
Class Year
’18
Current home
Rockford, Ill.
Major(s)
Physics
Current Position
Finance Associate at Collins Aerospace
Jackson Wehr is a 2018 Carthage physics graduate who works as a finance associate at Collins Aerospace. In his role as finance associate, Mr. Wehr develops and maintains tools for reporting information, automation, and communication with the business; performs data analysis to gain insight into company activity, performance, and specific metrics; and assists in pricing to help drive automation and efficiencies.
Graduating summa cum laude, Mr. Wehr was a Dean’s List recipient throughout most of his time at Carthage, won Outstanding Physics Student of the Year in 2015, and was a Physics Department Fellow in 2016.
Mr. Wehr credits his professors for his success as a student. “The physics faculty have had a tremendous impact on my success,” Mr. Wehr said. “They’ve all pushed me, and I’m very grateful for the help they’ve given me. Professor Jean Quashnock helped me realize what I can do in the business world with a physics degree. Without his connections with the Accounting and Finance Department, I wouldn’t be working where I am today.”
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
“I’ve had a lot of freedom to work on interesting projects and to continue learning by trying new things. I’ve been able to bounce between functional groups to see where I can be of assistance and while doing so, I’ve been able to see how all the small pieces need to come together to make the business successful.”
How did Carthage prepare you?
“Carthage provided me with many opportunities to really push myself out of my comfort zone. From studying abroad in Sweden and Africa to doing research with NASA on zero-gravity flights, I’ve been blessed with awesome experiences that have allowed me to learn in new environments. I’ve always thought of myself as very adaptable and a quick learner, but Carthage really helped me hone those skills, which I’ve demonstrated in the early stages of my career.
“[The physics faculty] are great for giving advice beyond the classroom and homework assignments. Professors are looking out for students’ futures beyond Carthage, and without the relationships I and many others formed with them, I wouldn’t be in the spot I’m in now.”
What's your favorite Carthage memory?
“The friendships I formed will be some of the best for the rest of my life. Whether it was grinding away on relentless physics problem sets or goofing around in Kenosha, there will never be a time in my life when I have that much freedom. The people I became close to really helped me out of my comfort zone and helped me gain the confidence that I had been missing. The best stories I have are from time spent with my friends from Carthage, and I can’t stress enough to not take that for granted and really enjoy it.”
Tips for current Carthage students?
“Reach out to professors and see where you can get involved with research, internships, or whatever piques your interest. Forming those connections early will be a benefit as the years pass. I wish I would have gotten involved earlier, but I still made the most of my time at Carthage.”