September 2010
Q: When were you involved in MESA and how did you hear about it?
A: My freshman year of college, I enrolled in an engineering orientation course that was lead by the campus MESA/MEP directors. The goal of this course was to help new students become acquainted with the college environment and be exposed to the resources available on campus.
Q: How did MESA affect you?
A: MESA introduced me to a wide network of students, faculty, and industry professionals. I secured an internship with Hitachi Data Systems as a college freshman through the connections I made through MESA; this opened up doors to new opportunities and ventures that jump-started my career.
Q: Was there something MESA offered that particularly helped you with your classes or major?
A: As previously mentioned, MESA exposed me to a network of current students. Through the program, I met students from all engineering majors; this allowed for the creation of effective study groups, as well as a team of interdisciplinary experts. Many of the students I met through MESA became my classmates, study partners, and even life-long friends. Access to a large network of engineering classmates resulted in the sharing of expertise among students. At the end of the day, I learned that surrounding myself with dedicated students enhanced my own academic performance—MESA facilitated such interactions and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Q: What is your degree in and when did you graduate?
A: I obtained a B.S. in mechanical engineering—focusing on thermal fluids and alternative energy—and a minor in business administration. I graduated spring 2010.
Q: What do you do now?
A: I currently work at Cisco Systems, for the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As a Specialist in Global Planning & Operations, my job consists of researching energy, health and education, and creating strategic communication models on how to position our company in each of those industries. I also prepare keynote and customer presentations for the CTO, as well as manage related operations. In this position, I have learned that having an engineering background is a tremendous asset, regardless of your job function or position. This is especially true when working for a high-tech company, since a technical background allows you to have a deeper understanding of the company’s products and solutions. For instance, when dealing with the topics of smart grid and energy, my background in mechanical engineering and alternative energy allows me to function as a specialist on the given subject.
Q: What advice do you give other students in math, science or engineering fields?
A: I may be biased, but there is no better learning experience than the challenging journey of obtaining a degree in engineering. Of course, the same goes to those students in math and science fields. A degree in engineering, math or science trains you to become a lean, mean, problem-solving machine! In those aforementioned majors, you are taught to analyze a problem, determine the given information, make educated assumptions, and generate a solution. This four step process mastered in engineering studies can be applied in any problem, regardless of the field or industry. Being an engineering [math and science included] major is tough; there may be times when you will want to give up and sell your TI-89, but have hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel that is worth the effort, and you will never regret your decision. You are the future leaders who will leverage technology in order to solve energy, health and social issues around the world.
Q: Were you the first person in your family to go to college? If so, how does that feel?
A: Yes. It was definitely a challenge, but it feels great to know that in my family, we have reached an inflection point. From this moment forward, my dream is for my future children to pursue a higher education and continue to raise the bar, from generation to generation.
Q: What does MESA mean to you?
A: MESA enables students to reach their maximum potential. In my case, MESA allowed me to obtain valuable information and connect with the right people to launch my career. I am grateful for the opportunities that were presented to me and will do my best to help younger underrepresented students.
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