Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

Spotlight on Transfer Students

Former Cornell University student-athlete and applied economics & management major Ryan Bridge entered Stevens as a transfer student after four years of active duty in Anah, Iraq.

A high school two-time New Jersey state champion wrestler, All-American, and academic high achiever, Ryan's acceptance to Cornell was not surprising. But his decision to leave the university early to join the U.S. Marine Corps, perhaps.

Ryan said joining the Marines was something he did out of a strong desire to serve the country's efforts at the time. And it didn't take long for his choice to earn the pride and respect of his family. He committed wholeheartedly to the stressful demands of his life as a Marine, rising to squad leader in his deployment to one of the most volatile areas in the War in Iraq.

Transitioning back to life in the U.S. wasn't easy, but getting back to undergraduate studies and wrestling was something Ryan gladly pursued. Ryan said it would have been much harder without the help of the Stevens Veterans Office and the Yellow Ribbon Program, an enhancement to the GI Bill that provides tuition assistance to qualified veterans.

Drawn to its location, size and offerings, Ryan continued to excel at Stevens. In the two seasons he competed as a wrestler, he earned a 32-7 career record. He qualified twice for the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships and All-America status both years he went to the tournament. Ryan finished fifth and seventh, respectively, in his two seasons. He was also selected as an Academic All-America and was a President's List Scholar.

A Business & Technology major, Ryan said one of the highlights of his career here was being able to apply what he learned in the classroom to real-life situations, and pointed to one project in particular. Ryan was one of four students who helped the Kortney Rose Foundation (KRF), a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of pediatric brain cancer and supports disease research and prevention efforts, improve its operational functions and ensure that its series of annual fundraisers are effective.

Ryan redesigned the KRF’s business systems and helped the KRF on the financial end with the creation of reports and strategic planning. Like many Stevens students, Ryan was eager to make a real difference, in this case fighting a devastating disease. “Brain tumors affect a lot of children,” he said. “I believe the Kortney Rose Foundation is a great program and can really help.”

His road to Stevens may be considered a path less traveled. But it is one that certainly matched his commitment to education and impacting the world. Set to graduate from Stevens this month and begin graduate studies here in the Business Intelligence and Analytics program, Ryan continues to face a bright future, ready for the challenges that lie ahead, he said. There is no doubt Ryan will fully seize the opportunity.

 

Natalie Schloeder began her college career at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as an aerospace engineering major but soon felt it wasn't a good fit, mainly because she longed to study in a location that offered a more diverse setting.

Natalie had been accepted to Stevens but had chosen to attend RPI because Stevens didn't offer an aerospace engineering degree. Everything else about Stevens was a great match, she said.

She transferred to Stevens' mechanical engineering program after her first semester at RPI, and quickly embraced the University's rich offerings. In her time at Stevens, she was a member of Stevens' concert band (alto sax) and served as Editor in Chief of The Stute (Stevens' student newspaper), captain of the women's tennis team and student athlete for the team for four years, and, with the encouragement of a classmate, a character in the Stevens production of Assassins.

She also took advantage of Stevens' proximity to top companies and employers, taking on an internship at Turner Construction Company, which is headquartered in New York City. She worked as a pre-construction intern for the concept and design of the Brooklyn Nets Arena.

What's more, Natalie didn't have to abandon aerospace engineering, a passion that ignited many years earlier in middle school. "Aerospace engineering is a concentration of mechanical engineering," she said. "And what I learned and experienced as a mechanical engineering student at Stevens propelled me right along the path I'd aimed for." Natalie is currently a graduate/doctoral student of aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech, leading research and problem-solving in the University's High Power Electric Propulsion Lab, specifically in designing ion engine thrusters for deep space missions.

The work she does in the lab requires being able to deliver viable solutions for contracted clients, which includes studying the problem and specifications, creating a design, and delivering it. "Essentially, I'm not just creating a solution, but the best answer to the problem, which works for the client and continues to attract funding for our work," she said.

Natalie gives kudos to Stevens for providing a wide breadth of extracurricular activities that enhance students' experiences and are also opportunities to learn how to multi-task. Maintaining good grades at a competitive school while enjoying activities outside the classroom requires creating a process to manage time well, and this was a key to her success, she said.

She also points to Stevens' Design Spine, a unique series of eight core design courses followed by a capstone, two-semester senior design project, as a significant advantage to students. "This design concentration throughout all my years at Stevens was extremely valuable," Natalie said. "The opportunity to create goals and timelines, think critically, solve open-ended questions, work collaboratively...it's all real-life training." She recently encountered a challenge in one of her projects and fell back on what she'd learned at Stevens to work through it, she added.

With her sights on innovating deep space exploration and on solid course to get there, Natalie has the universe at her feet. In this case, that's not just a metaphor.

Dominic Catalano began his college career at Binghamton University and then Tompkins Courtland Community College, where he earned an associates degree in engineering science before entering Stevens as a transfer student to pursue mechanical engineering.

Dominic customized his Stevens education with concentrations in automotive engineering as well as product design and manufacturing. For a number of reasons, it's no surprise that he's a member of the senior design team that took on the challenge of designing a Formula-style race car. 

The Formula SAE design competition is organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers, simulating what happens when a manufacturing company contracts design teams to develop a race car. Students prototype race cars that are judged on their potential for production for non-professional autocross racers. The teams must design, build, and test their prototypes under a certain criteria and rule-set that ensures on-track safety and promotes unique problem solving.

As part of the Formula SAE team at Stevens, Dominic was able to experience real-life work in an automotive engineering business environment, including research, design, manufacturing, testing, developing, marketing, management, and even fund raising. Cultivating alumni donations and business sponsorships is all part of the process, Dominic said. Click Here to see last year's Formula SAE car.

With several years of track and field experience both at Binghamton and Tompkins Courtland, Dominic fully embraces the competitive spirit on another level. He helped advance the Stevens track and field team as a student athlete for the last year remaining in his NCAA eligibility. And he competed in his first Iron Man at Lake Placid, New York, last year, finishing the race in just over 13 hours. Biking and running track and field for Stevens helped him train for the event, a regiment well worth juggling with a full schedule of studies and other activities, he added. "You just find time for what you're passionate about," Dominic said. "Even to the point of losing a little sleep." 

His advice to incoming students? "Stay organized. And schedule time for involvement in multiple groups." Dominic said. "But be careful not to spread yourself too thin. Choose a passion or two and then organize your time around that. This is hard when there's a lot to pursue and you have this feeling that if you're not involved, you might lose out on something. But it's important to find a balance, and over time, you do."

Moving on after graduation to graduate studies in mechanical engineering here at Stevens, Dominic is revving up for further research in combustion engines and designing efficiency for automotive applications. He looks forward to what the future holds at Stevens, but in the meantime, he's off to Nebraska with the Formula SAE team to race.

What might you experience at Stevens? The deadline for applying to Stevens as a transfer student is July 1. Click Here for more details.

 

 

Graduates Reign at Stevens

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions congratulates the graduating Class of 2012.

Best wishes as you embrace your bright futures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Achievement

For the sixth time in eight years, a Stevens student has been selected as the Cooperative Education and Internship Student of the Year award by the New Jersey Cooperative Education and Internship Association (NJCEIA).

Senior Erik Thompson, an Electrical Engineering major and participant in the Stevens Cooperative Education (Co-op) program, is the 2012 recipient representing four-year college students. His selection is based on his outstanding achievements on the job and contributions to the employer.

“Erik is extremely smart and hard-working,” said Christian Uhl, assistant director of Cooperative Education (co-op) at Stevens. “He is a natural fit for a professional environment, and that helped him acquire very high-quality work experiences through Co-op.”

As an undergraduate at Stevens, Thompson took part in five Co-op internships. The first two assignments were with Datascope Patient Monitors, where he worked with the electrical engineering staff to test hospital products and implement fixes. Next, he worked as a computer engineer at the Armament, Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsensal. Finally, Thompson spent two semesters at Safe Flight Instrument Corporation. There, he served as project lead for the development of cockpit sensors that prevent airplanes from stalling. He was primarily responsible for overseeing the design and testing of software and electronics systems.

“I chose Stevens in large part because of the Co-op program,” said Thompson. “Each internship I did was critical, in its own way, for preparing me for the workforce. Datascope introduced me to the corporate culture and helped me understand how business is done. Picatinny gave me excellent software experience, and Safe Flight was really excellent at developing my design skills.”

Thompson earned a 3.65 GPA over his undergraduate career. Outside of his academics, he participated in numerous student activities as Stevens, including Castle Point Radio, the Anime Club and the Computer and Console Gaming Society. He also spent many hours volunteering his time to mentor younger Co-op participants by conducting mock interviewers and ushering students to employers.

“Erik was always incredibly generous with his time and always willing to give back because of the opportunities that he received through Co-op,” said Uhl. “Not only did every employer want him to join their ranks, but every student wanted to learn from his success.”

After Thompson graduates this month with a B.E. in Electrical Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Wireless Communications, he will begin full-time work as an assistant technical staff member at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, a research and development center focused on applying advanced technology to problems of national security. Thompson applied through the position through Stevens Career Services and was interviewed on campus last fall. He received the official offer while on winter holiday trip to Cancun with his family.

“Needless to say, it was a great vacation,” Thompson said.

There are numerous past Cooperative Education and Internship Student of the Year award-winners from Stevens, including Michael Phipps (’04), Jibu Abraham (’05), Poitr Czerechowski (’06), Keith Cassidy (’08) and Regina Pynn (‘11). In addition, Cassidy and Daniel Mirota (’06) were named National Cooperative Education Students of the Year by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Uhl said one reason behind Stevens’ leadership in cooperative education is the staff’s personal relationships with students.

“We know our students’ interests and abilities and can make an accurate determination of what employers would be the best fit,” Uhl said. “Because our students are better matched, we are able to serve both the students and the employers better.”

He added that the Co-op program’s strong connection to numerous companies is another factor in its success.

“Stevens has longstanding relationships with employers, many of whom are Stevens Co-op alumni themselves,” Uhl said. “They know where the students are coming from both academically and professionally, which – along with the preparatory programs offered through Co-op – sets the table for our students to be successful on the job.”

Thompson, whose future employer includes a pipeline of Stevens alumni, said the Co-op program provides students essential resume differentiation in today’s competitive job market.

“With the way the job market is right now, you really need to be able to show that you’ve done something in addition to classes,” Thompson said. “Co-op allows you to go and do something meaningful and contribute to the company success.”

Thompson will be presented with the Cooperative Education and Internship Student of the Year award at the annual NJCEIA program on June 7 in Morristown, N.J.

Launching to Careers and Graduate Schools

Spotlight on Stevens Seniors

Approaching the 2012 Commencement ceremonies in May, the Stevens community is once again inspired by another class of amazing graduates.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, it's clear how employers value the quality and reputation of a Stevens education. Members of the Class of 2012 have accepted offers from well-known companies such as Deloitte, DuPont, Goldman Sachs, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, UBS, and United Technologies.

And Stevens graduates who applied to medical, dental and other graduate schools have been accepted to competitive programs at Yale University, Tufts University, Boston University, Vanderbilt University, University of California - Irvine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, University of Texas, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New York University Dental School, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and Carnegie Mellon University, to name a few.

While we would be delighted to highlight the accomplishments of each and every graduate, meet graduating seniors Zixuan (Shin) Liu, Jenna Blondina, Jamie Brabston, and Julia Cederroth. Their stories represent the overall success enjoyed by this year's graduating class.

Senior computer engineering major Zixuan (Shin) Liu, who also earned a master's degree in applied mathematics, has been accepted to Yale University School of Management as a Silver Scholar. Only a handful of college seniors are selected to this prestigious three-year MBA program each year.

Acceptance into competitive MBA programs usually requires years of work experience out of college. Yale's Silver Scholars are exceptional. As a scholar, Shin enters the program immediately after his undergraduate education, with the advantage of moving more quickly toward his career goals.

Shin will spend his first year at Yale developing "the basic skills and mindset of a manager" and, during the second year, he'll serve a full-time internship to develop leadership skills and put his business education into practice. He will return to Yale for year three and the conclusion of the MBA program.

In addition to an excellent academic record and heavy involvement in student activities and leadership, Shin points to the two internships he had at Goldman Sachs, obtained through the Stevens internship program, as distinguishing qualities in his application to the program.

"Stevens prepares us as professionals while we're here as undergraduates," Shin said. "And what's equally attractive is that mutual respect drives the campus community. This is important in the business world, and it makes Stevens students special among others going for top jobs and professional programs."

An avid New York Giants fan and a student heavily involved in student life - from performing arts to honor societies to the Ethnic Student Council - Shin's personable and compassionate nature shines as bright as his academic success, if you can get him to accept the word "success" as a way to describe his accomplishments.

"I'm successful?" he asked. "Well, I think I'm more comfortable saying that I have potential. I'm leveraging my Stevens education and will continue to do the same at Yale. I'm definitely on the right track."

As an international student, originally from Shen Zhen, China, and remembering fondly how important his new Stevens friends were to his transition to Stevens, Shin has heartfelt advice for incoming students, especially those entering Stevens from around the globe. "Be prepared to seize all the opportunities you have here at Stevens," he said. "And remember that it's not all about being serious. This should be the best four to five years of your life, so make sure you enjoy it. Make your degree more meaningful by making friendships that will last for a lifetime. You can definitely do that at Stevens."

While he is definitely due for rest and relaxation, Shin will spend part of the summer before entering Yale at the London School of Economics taking a class on negotiations.

For Jenna Blondina, Stevens Institute of Technology is a family affair, though it took her a while to warm up to the idea. Jenna’s father graduated from Stevens in 1973 and never tired of telling his daughter what a great experience he had and encouraging her to follow his path. His stories ranged from exciting visits to nearby New York City to living on the infamous ship-turned-dorm, docked in the Hudson River. He was so adamant about Jenna coming to Stevens, that like most teenage girls, she wanted to do the exact opposite.

After a visit to campus though, Jenna couldn’t deny it – she too loved Stevens. Asserting her independence, she applied secretly, and completely avoided the idea of being an engineer. Online research had turned her on to the Business & Technology program, and she was very interested in the opportunities that might be in store for her. Once she was accepted, she knew Stevens was where she was meant to be.

“The entire community has impressed me since day one,” Jenna says. “Walking around Hoboken, you see people wearing Stevens gear, saying 'Hi', stopping to chat. It really is the people who make the school what it is.”

It’s also the people, she says, who helped her get to where she is today. Jenna credits the small class size and personal attention from the professors with helping her land a job after graduation with JP Morgan Chase.

“The professors have such great experience and expertise. It’s so much more than academics, they also really know business,” she states. “Between the faculty and the Office of Career Development, I was well-prepared for my job search.”

Through on-campus interviews set up by Career Development, Jenna held several internships during her time at Stevens, including a summer at Selective Insurance, and then two summers at JP Morgan Chase. As she finished up her third internship, she was offered a full-time job which she readily accepted.

Set to begin at the end of July, Jenna will be a Technology Business Analyst in the NYC area. She will receive her specific assignment when she officially joins the company. Jenna says she has loved everything about JP Morgan Chase during her internships and hopes to stay in that industry throughout her career, perhaps pursuing an MBA in a few years.

When Jamie Brabston reflects on her decision more than five years ago to attend Stevens, she knows her instincts were right. Drawn by the proximity of campus to New York City, Jamie knew she wanted practical work experience in tandem with her education. Unparalleled access to real-life experience through the Cooperative Education program combined with her dual degrees in Computer Science – Jamie will graduate in May with both her BS and MS – have landed her an enviable position at Barclay’s Capital.

Originally planning to be a Computer Engineering major, Jamie soon realized that the Computer Science program was more suited to her desire to learn both software and programming. Additionally, she didn’t think she’d participate in athletics, but after encouragement about joining the Track program, Jamie embraced the opportunity. The overall support she felt early on from the Stevens community all helped solidify her decision that she was in the right place.

“Also, you can’t beat the view from campus, especially the Babbio Center,” Jamie says. “When you need a break from studying, there is nothing better than the breathtaking view of the Hudson River and New York City right in front of you.”

Jamie’s first Co-op experience was at ADP the summer after her freshman year. She describes her work in software testing and quality assurance as a foundation for basic experience in her field. She spent the spring of her sophomore year at Hess, where she was tasked with “a lot of programming.” The experience she gained there proved invaluable for her, since she was working with platforms that were completely new to her. Her final Co-op assignment found her at Silver Point, a small company based in Hoboken.

It was clearly a mutually beneficial relationship, as Silver Point did offer Jamie a full-time position for after graduation. However, she’d already accepted the offer from Barclay’s Capital at that point, where she will begin this summer as a Technology Analyst.

Her role is part of an 18-month rotational program and she will have two different placements during that time. While the placements haven’t been assigned yet, Jamie has expressed an interest in the software development track. She’s also hoping to get into project management at Barclay’s, having taken some project management classes at Stevens this year and earning a graduate certificate in the discipline.

“I could talk on and on about my amazing Co-op experiences and how much they’ve helped me grow. They really were how I got this incredible job opportunity,” Jamie asserts. “Being a part of Epsilon Pi Epsilon taught me communication skills, because I had to give presentations and was forced to publicly speak. The Track team taught me leadership skills, when I had to provide guidance and teach others. All I’ve done at Stevens has made me so well-rounded – I’ve gained not just technical skills but soft skills as well, which is critical for a Computer Science student.”

When Julia Cederroth graduates from Stevens, she will leave behind great memories and experiences, but Julia also leaves behind her place in Stevens history, which she secured in her junior year when she became only the second Duck to qualify for the equestrian national competition.

“Being Captain of the Equestrian team, in addition to serving as VP of my sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, were a huge part of my Stevens experience,” Julia explains. “Being elected into these two positions was such an honor and gave me invaluable insight into leadership. My sophomore year, I joined the sorority and decided to get involved with everything Stevens had to offer. It changed my life. I’ve met amazing people and become more outgoing. The Stevens community truly helped me come out of my shell.”

These experiences, combined with her Business & Technology studies – which she was drawn to initially for its innovative, hybrid appeal – helped her get to the next step. After graduation, Julia will join UBS as an Analyst in their business graduate program. Set to begin in mid-August, Julia’s official title is an Enterprise Production Assurance Analyst, which she describes as the bridge between technical programmers and those on the financial/business side.

Julia is very enthusiastic about the Office of Career Development and its role in getting her to UBS as well. She encourages all students to take advantage of what the office has to offer, crediting their help as invaluable.

“The Office of Career Development has helped me exponentially,” she states. “Not only does the staff provide moral support, but the technical assistance they give is great. From mock interviews to resume help to providing forums for learning and networking, I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

Julia also cites Dr. George Calhoun’s projects and her corporate financial studies as defining experiences that proved to her she was on the right path. The projects, though challenging at times, built her confidence and helped her with interviewing skills. She learned she really enjoyed finance, making her even more excited to join UBS and work in the industry.

The Stevens community is proud of the achievements of the entire Class of 2012. Their success serves as an inspiration to us all.

 

Class of 2016, As Right as Rain!

Stevens Welcomes the Newly Admitted Class of 2016

Sunday proved that any day welcoming newly admitted Stevens students is a good one.

Nearly 2,000 guests -- members of the newly admitted Stevens Class of 2016 and their families -- attended the Annual Accepted Students Reception, a day-long event to give accepted students the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishment and mingle with faculty, staff and current Stevens students. 

From as close as New Jersey and the surrounding metro area and as far away as Switzerland, accepted students converged on campus while the Stevens community kept a close eye on the impending Nor'easter.

With ample opportunity to ask questions, get to know the Stevens community, and get another (or first) look at labs, residence life, the campus environment, classrooms, and student life,the Accepted Students Reception is always a great event.

This year's stormy weather was not a challenge as much as a great opportunity for everyone to see that rain or shine, as one guest put it, Stevens sure can throw a good party!

For some, attending the event was a chance to give Stevens a closer examination before confirming their decision to attend. For others, it was merely a time celebrate and meet the people who'll soon be their classmates, friends, instructors, mentors, and advisors. 

In the morning, representatives from Career Development, Cooperative Education, Financial Aid, Health Services, Perfoming Arts, Residence Life & Dining Services, ROTC, Student Life, Athletics and Recreation, and Undergraduate Admissions were available to meet with accepted students and their families to answer questions and provide information.

Mid-day, the crowd filled the Canavan Arena to be officially welcomed by Dr. Maureen Weatherall, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, and Dr. Nariman Farvardin, President of Stevens, who each congratulated the students for their accomplishment and detailed to them the excellent return on investment they will receive, among many benefits, as graduates of Stevens.

The floor was then turned over to three student representatives who spoke about their personal experiences at Stevens. Freshman Jorge Rojas and seniors Ann DeStefano and Paul Peskosky, Jr., shared their stories and helped paint a picture for the incoming freshmen of the opportunities that await them at Stevens. 

Accepted students and their families also toured Stevens' first-class facilities and had the opportunity to speak with faculty in their programs about curricula and research. They also got to meet with coaches and members of the athletic department. Specific points of interest during the "open tour of campus" were state-of-the-art labs, such as the Engineering and Design labs, Biorobotics lab, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering labs, MicroDevice lab, and the new Hanlon Financial Systems lab, to name a few.

More than 60 student clubs and organizations showcased their offerings and activities on the Babbio patio as part of the Student Activities Fair, which is always a big highlight of the event.

And at the closing reception, the Stevens Jazz Ensemble kept the energy high with a lively performance of jazz standards and popular hits. Stevens staff mingled with families and answered final questions as everyone enjoyed an ample spread of sweets and snacks.

On one of the rainiest days Stevens and the metro area has experienced in quite some time, the Accepted Students Reception this year had the biggest turn-out in its history. Nothing could put a damper on the day's excitement.

Everyone at Stevens looks forward to welcoming the Class of 2016 to campus once again in the fall -- this time as official Ducks! Click Here to watch the Accepted Students Reception video.

 

Stevens Ranks High in "What's Your College Degree Worth?"

In Bloomberg Businessweek’s third annual ranking of the best colleges for return on investment (ROI), “What’s Your College Degree Worth?,” Stevens Institute of Technology’s ROI is 23rd in the nation.

The study is based upon PayScale.com, which uses self-reported salary data from alumni of more than 850 nationwide colleges and universities obtained through its online survey tools. The ROI ranking reflects what incoming students can reasonably expect from their investment in pursuing a college degree from a certain school. It represents the typical earnings of a graduate over a 30-year period, after deducting the net cost of the degree, which is based on the total “sticker price” minus the average financial aid award and adjusted for six-year graduation rate.

The 2012 report finds that average ROI across all surveyed colleges nationally decreased since 2011, reflecting sinking salaries in a tough economy and the rising cost of higher education. However, ROI for Stevens students remains at the front of the pack.

In addition, Stevens ranks eighth in ROI and fourth in ROI for graduates out of 18 metro area schools, and its graduation rate is the highest among the group. In its classification of “Private Research Universities, Engineering,” Stevens is fifth among all schools nationally.

Stevens’ leading ROI in part reflects national trends. In the 2012 report, private schools easily surpassed public schools in ROI. In addition, engineering schools averaged more than double the ROI for liberal arts schools, triple that of business schools, and more than 26 times that of arts and design schools.

Stevens students have outpaced the national average year after year in both placement rates and job outcomes, benefitting from exceptional academic programs, world-class research experiences and unique experiential learning opportunities that prepare them to become leaders in their chosen fields.

“Between our highly-competitive academic environment, market-relevant internship opportunities, nurturing and supportive campus, and prime location minutes from Manhattan, Stevens students have everything they need to achieve personal, professional and financial success,” said Maureen Weatherall, vice president of university enrollment and administration.

Employers continue to value the quality and reputation of a Stevens education, with members of the Class of 2012 having already accepted offers from well-known companies such as Deloitte, DuPont, Goldman Sachs, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, UBS and United Technologies.

“Few universities can match Stevens in terms of job placement, a testament to the rigorous academic background of our students and the professional work experiences so many obtain in the most in-demand fields, well before graduation,” said Lynn Insley, director of career development.

Women at Stevens: Network, network, network

In celebration of 40 years of women undergraduates at Stevens, the Stevens Alumni Association hosted an “Alumnae of Distinction’’ panel on March 21, featuring five extraordinary alumnae who hope to inspire the next generation of female students.

One recommendation for success was repeated several times during the discussion: make connections.

“Find your connection’’ was the advice of SAA Past President and Genworth senior executive Mary Doddy ’80, who welcomed more than 65 alumni, friends, students, faculty and staff members to the panel discussion on campus this month. “If you walk around, I’m sure you can find your own ‘six degrees of separation’ in this room,’’ Doddy said, referring to the idea that everyone is approximately six steps away, by way of introduction, to any other person.

The five alumnae were invited back to Stevens to offer advice to today’s talented students and share their extraordinary stories of success. They were Angie Hankins ’95, a partner with Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, a nationally recognized law firm with practice areas in capital markets, intellectual property, labor and employment; Lisa Mascolo ’82, the Chief Executive Officer of Optimos, a strategy and enterprise IT solutions firm; Tammy Rambaldi ’92, director of information security and IT compliance at Johnson & Johnson; MaryAnne Rizk ’01, M.S. ’01, a senior director, partnership and alliance, at Medidata Solutions, and a faculty member at Stevens; and Yvette Vargas, M.S. ’88, managing director, head of talent, development and diversity at UBS Wealth Management Americas.

The panelists were asked how to define success and all shared a personal story about what success is in their lives.

“I define success as the impact that my work has done, and it can take a long time to see that,’’ said Rambaldi. “Success is also seeing what my team does and gaining the satisfaction in seeing them succeed.’’

For Vargas, success is a lifelong process. “Success is a journey that recalibrates itself. If I can go to work and make one person better at what he does, then that to me is a success,’’ she said.

The panelists offered their thoughts on strategies for women to succeed.

“Network,’’ advised Mascolo. “Make that connection. Interpersonal relationships are often overlooked. Most women miss the value of connections. For instance, I don’t play golf, but I go out on the golf course. Just because I don’t play doesn’t mean I can’t talk to people and just make my presence known.’’

Vargas echoed Mascolo’s comments.

"Peer relationships are critical. Do I go out of my way to make my peers successful? We get results through working with people. It’s about networking,’’ she said.

Mascolo also shared her three philosophies of life: listen to others, learn as much as you can, and read just about anything you get your hands on. “Reading any sort of literature opens your mind to ideas that you may have never had,’’ she advised.

Hankins shared her unconventional route to success. After high school, she enlisted in the Air Force and served for four years. She entered Stevens and belonged to the fencing team, the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP), Khoda and was a resident assistant. After graduation, she began law school at the University of Virginia. She made partner at Stroock in 2008 and today, among the more than 300 lawyers at her firm, she is the only African-American partner. Her success came from knowing what she wanted and also asking her supervisors how to attain it. “You have to push and ask for what you want. I asked about making partner (at annual reviews). I asked them, ‘What should I be doing to be partner ready?’ ’’ Hankins said.

The five women had some ideas on how to get more girls interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses. Vargas suggested getting the parents of young girls interested in Stevens, which would allow for talk of the Institute in the home. Rambaldi thought girls as young as elementary age need to be reached to nurture a love of STEM. Hankins suggested partnering with civic groups such as the Girl Scouts to create interest.

Rizk, who is working on her Ph.D. at Stevens, discussed the benefits of her Stevens education. “A Stevens education (allowed me to) springboard to the next level. A technical degree is a good investment. It opens doors. It allows you to take your education and navigate it to the next level,’’ she said.

Lynn Insley, the director of Stevens’ Office of Career Development, served as moderator of the event.

Stevens Students Spring to Careers

Stevens' career fairs have always been winners. They feature top companies offering full-time employment and rewarding summer internships. This year's Spring Career Fair on March 7 was no exception. Nearly 100 top companies participated. 

Prepped and confident Stevens students took advantage of the opportunity to meet impressive companies like Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, BASF, Colgate-Palmolive, ExxonMobil, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Tishman Construction, Unilever, and Wyndham Resorts. Organizations new to the Fair included TIAA-CREF and Toll Brothers.  

For more information about career development and professional placement at Stevens, visit: http://www.stevens.edu/sit/ocd/

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate Research Fosters Innovation

Research has been a core value of the Stevens Institute of Technology education since its founding. From the Scholars Program to Technogenesis to Senior Design, research serves as a critical foundation of the Stevens experience, where undergraduates are engaged in sophisticated research usually reserved for graduate students at other universities. Stevens students look forward to and thrive on hands-on, practical research and its applications, in many instances seeing their work published, reach the patent stage, and/or presented at conferences.

Each year, students participate in a Research Colloquium, where they are able to share their research and outcomes with their peers, faculty, and industry partners. Projects run the gamut, covering topics in each major discipline.

Jennifer Wehof, an environmental engineering major and cooperative education student currently in her fourth year at Stevens, is working on a project entitled “After the Storm: Beach Recovery” as part of the Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering department. Through the Scholars Program, she has worked with Dr. Jon Miller in the Davidson Laboratory since her freshman year. When this research opportunity became available, Jennifer wanted to work on it, but she also knew she wanted to study abroad. Dr. Miller helped her balance both, and Jennifer was able to spend this past summer in the Netherlands while continuing her research. The project has since been submitted for inclusion in the International Conference for Coastal Engineering, which will be held in Spain this coming summer. If chosen, her advisor in Holland will present their work at the conference, where Jenny hopes to join him.

“Research is so important because it helps you be innovative and learn to form your own conclusions and ideas. Instead of relying on other people to tell me what’s next, I can research and figure it out on my own,” Jennifer explains. “Working on this project has opened my mind to other opportunities – I’m now considering a Ph.D. program. I can see myself being a professor and helping students the way my professors have helped me.” Jennifer also credits Study Abroad as a key component of her Stevens experience: “Being able to do research abroad was incredible, but being immersed in another culture while continuing my studies was invaluable.”

Thomas Tritt says he has always been interested in research because his dream is to pursue medical school after graduating from Stevens. Through the Technogenesis Summer Scholars Program, Thomas, a junior biomedical engineering student, has been involved with a project (“Development and Evaluation of a Novel, Real-Time Mobile Telesonography System in Management of Abdominal Trauma”) in conjunction with Hackensack Medical Center, working under Dr. Vikki Hazelwood and Ph.D. student Marissa Gray.

“Last summer, I was developing a protocol and collecting data for the project, but this summer I will be able to go even deeper into the project, helping Marissa publish a paper for her Ph.D.,” Thomas says. “It’s partially funded by the Department of Defense, so I will get to do research and data collection for them as well.” Thomas defines his research experience as allowing him to reach a “higher level of understanding for a particular field.” He hopes to focus on research in medical school and credits Technogenesis with helping him accomplish his goals at Stevens. He is also pursuing an Entrepreneurship minor, which he feels compliments his studies and research by helping provide fundamentals: “Entrepreneurship is the spirit of Technogenesis!” he adds. “Stevens provides an excellent educational background for students and then also affords them the real-life opportunities to do research hands-on,” Thomas asserts.

On another end of the spectrum, Stevens students are also participating in research that combines science and technology with art and music. Nick Catania, who is set to graduate in May, has a double major in physics & engineering physics and music & technology. His project – “Research and Development of an Interactive Learning Display for the Liberty Science Center” – has the potential to go live in the very near future. Nick knew he wanted to do something unique that would increase his knowledge in sound design and recording but also go a step further to really allow him a chance to conduct innovative research. With the help of his advisor David Musial, he met with the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City and the idea for creating a music video production experience for school children was immediately embraced. Though there are many layers in the development of this project, Nick is proud that he has been able to have a hand in them all. His advice to other researchers: Don’t ever be afraid to explore.

“When I first looked at this project, I was not thinking about the computer science part, but I explored and taught myself the programming language,” he explains. “I never thought I’d be where I am today when this started, but I wasn’t afraid to explore. Knowing the potential result continues to drive me.” Hoping to complete the project before graduation, Nick is excited to be able to give back to a younger generation through this music video display. Nick hopes that if it is successful at the Liberty Science Center, it will be replicated at other science centers. “If it has the impact I’m hoping, it will allow children to truly see the transfer of information between science and art. It will give them something to hold onto, and be inspired.”

Another project fusing science and art is “Building Immersive Image-Based Visualization Environments” that Caroline Amaba and Zachary Moy worked on together with advisor Brian Moriarty. Caroline will receive dual degrees in computer science and art & technology when she graduates in May 2012. The project started as a way to explore new ideas for incorporating research into art & technology. Together, they built the foundation for what they’ve nicknamed EVE – Explorable Visual Environs.

“For me, research was learning in a different way. It takes it way further than the classroom; because it is so hands-on, it helps you retain what you’re learning, and I really enjoyed that,” Caroline states. “We had to make our own goals and figure out what needed to be done. That was invaluable.”

In addition, Caroline and Zak co-authored two papers with their advisor that were accepted to two conferences. Professor Moriarty will present the paper Utilizing Explorable Visual Environments for Experiential Applications at the Conference on Systems Engineering Research in St. Louis this summer and Zak presented Implementation of Explorable Visual Environments for Cultural Heritage and Experience Applications at the International Conference & Expo on Emerging Technologies for a Smarter World in Hauppauge, NY last year.

“This project gave me so many new ideas for my art & technology final project as well. It has been an incredible resume boost and is helping to guide me to where I want to go in the future,” Caroline concludes.

The Stevens Summer: Hands-On Programs for High School Students

Stevens Institute of Technology has long been known for its legacy of preparing college students to be leaders and innovators of the future. Did you know that we also prepare pre-college students? 

The Stevens Summer is an ideal way for high school students to gain experience in a particular field, get a feel for campus life, explore New York City, visit Fortune 500 companies in the tri-state area, and interact with peers from around the world. All programs are residential – meaning students live in residence halls on the Stevens campus – are taught by members of our campus academic community and are closely supervised by professional and trained student staff.

Students are immersed in specialized, hands-on programs like the flagship Exploring Career Options in Engineering & Science (ECOES) program, now in its 34^th year.  The program centers around project-based learning exploring many different fields of science and engineering, with students working in teams to accomplish project goals. In addition, they take special trips in and around New York City, all of which are included in the cost of the program.

High school senior Keara Saud was a participant in The Stevens Summer 2011 and said, “ECOES was such a great experience for me on both a social and an academic level. I went into it expecting to gain a better understanding of engineering and left with not only that, but also amazing friends. I don't think I can choose any one thing that I liked most because it was all so great!”

This summer, Stevens is offering three sessions of ECOES to meet growing demand for this highly engaging program: June 17-20, July 8-20, and July 22-August 3.

Last year, Stevens expanded the summer program offerings to provide the same great type of hands-on experience for students interested in careers in business, multimedia production, and computer science. Those programs will be available again this summer.

The Business program is a one-week program that provides an opportunity to develop fundamental business and technical skills and explore interests in business, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship and get a taste of the real world of business students and professionals. Program participants also get to visit the New York Stock Exchange.

“While I hoped to learn about the different elements of a business curriculum, I didn't expect the program to be as interactive as it was. This made it more valuable and enjoyable,” asserts Stephen Rienzi about the Business Summer Intensive. “I really learned a lot not only from the subjects presented, but from the group project and the feedback we were given.”

Two sessions of the Business program are being offered: July 8-15 and July 22-29.

The Multimedia Production program is a two-week program for students interested in visual and audio arts, learning about audio engineering and videography, and working together with professional equipment in the Stevens Media Arts Center, green screen room, and a nearby recording studio  to create a soundtrack and produce a video.

“Little did I know how hands-on it was going to be,” said Cara Realmuto, who was on-campus last summer for the Multimedia Production program. “It was great to start a project from the very beginning and put it all together for a finished product, with professionals helping you along the way.”

The Multimedia Production program will be held July 8-20.

The Computer Science program is an exciting and engaging one-week program that will give students insight into aspects of computer science that fuel, enable, and protect our information-driven economy. This project-based program teaches fundamental problem-solving skills while providing hands-on experience in many of the most exciting areas of computer science today, such as web technologies, cybersecurity, and system administration, among others. Students also get an insider’s view of the professional world with a visit to a Fortune 500 company.

The Computer Science program will be held July 22- July 29

More information about The Stevens Summer can be found online at www.stevens.edu/precollege. The priority deadline to apply is April 1, but applications will be accepted through May 15.

 

Internships: Each One, a Unique Journey

Every college student has heard of the importance of internships: gaining real-world experience, making valuable professional contacts, putting into practice what you’re studying, all in the hopes of standing out to future employers and landing a dream job at graduation. While all of that is true, students rarely are told that internships can also be exciting and fun, and that the development and growth isn’t only professional - it's personal, too.

Stevens is extremely successful in connecting students to summer internships with many of the world's leading companies. The Office of Career Development has relationships with hundreds of companies who recruit Stevens students precisely because of our students' track record for helping companies achieve their corporate goals.

Daniel Schaffer completed his first internship after his freshman year at Stevens. A Computer Science major set to graduate in 2014, he attended a Career Fair hosted by the Office of Career Development with the intention of securing an opportunity with an investment bank working in technology. He approached the representative from UBS and during the conversation mentioned his background in creating applications for iPhones. Though UBS typically doesn’t take interns earlier than students in their junior year, they hired Dan, who became their youngest intern ever.

“I work hard but I also got a bit lucky with my background,” Dan states. “It’s hot right now – everyone wants iPhone apps.”

UBS was no exception. While there, Dan was one of the only interns to have very specific tasks for the summer. He wrote several iPhone apps for them, including a Mobile Directory of the entire organization that he was able to demo in front of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO), two of the top executives in the company.

“At the end of the summer, there was an intern commencement ceremony, and about 1,000 interns from around the country were gathered together via conference,” Dan says. “When the CIO spoke, she called me out directly to thank me for my help with the app project and said publicly that she hopes I’ll come back and work for them again. It was such a great experience!”

Needless to say, when UBS offered Dan an internship for this coming summer, he jumped at the chance.

Some internships develop even further and eventually become full-time career opportunities.

“I’ve been working at the Macquarie Group for three years,” says Alex Hieronymi. “I started as an intern the summer after freshman year, stayed on part-time during the school years and went back full-time in the summers. Now they’ve offered me a job, so I will join the company as a full-time employee after graduation.”

Alex, a Cybersecurity major who will graduate in May this year, originally found out about this opportunity through the Cooperative Education program. His first internship required him to work on a website that calculated financial predictions, and the project was still going when the summer ended. They asked him to stay on to complete the project, and he has been part of Macquarie ever since.

“I’ve worked on two teams: the Desktop Support Team and the Service, Design & Development Team,” Alex states. “I’ve traveled to Boston, Philladelphia and Miami, helping to fix problems and integrate desktops.”

What he’s accomplished has paid off, and in May, Alex will continue to be a key member of the teams he works with. He credits his Cybersecurity background with allowing him to take everything a step further by keeping security in mind during his day-to-day tasks.

Sara Pacella, a Mechanical Engineering major who will also graduate in 2012, had a different experience during her internship at Hamilton Sundstrand. Though she values what she learned while there, it helped to validate what she really wants to do after graduation.

“I worked in mergers & acquisitions doing research on potential companies, their products, potential synergies and what contracts were already in place,” she explains. “It was a very positive experience but more on the business side. I definitely want a career where I can use my Mechanical Engineering background.”

She was introduced to this opportunity by a colleague at her part-time job who connected her with a Stevens alum employed by Hamilton Sundstrand. Sara values networking and does take away some additional lessons from her internship experience:

“There was a lot of teamwork and meetings in my group. I got to work on projects that were very meaningful to the organization. It was really interesting to witness firsthand how people in the real world work on teams and come together to get a job done.”

Sometimes internships allow students to fuse together more than one interest. For senior Kelsey Reynolds, her experience at Integra LifeSciences did just that.

“I am very interested in Marketing, but also Science. That’s why I love the Business & Technology program at Stevens – I get the best of both worlds!” Kelsey asserts.

She discovered the internship at Integra while looking for marketing/business opportunities in the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries. During the interview process, she was asked to put together a thorough business analysis and present it, and she credits the business and research background she’s received in Dr. George Calhoun’s classes with helping her land the job. 

Working in the Orthobiologics department, Kelsey says she learned a lot about the company’s products, what marketing claims were being made, how to investigate competitors and how to help the sales force. She was able to use her business education in this role and liked that she was exposed to all aspects of the process – she says she felt like much more than an intern.

This internship, which she completed in the summer of 2011, led to her current internship, where she’s working with a small start-up medical devices firm on investor presentations and website development. Kelsey isn’t sure where she’ll be after graduation this May but is investigating opportunities with both Integra and her current firm.

“What I do know is that I want to stay in the medical devices industry, hopefully becoming a product manager,” Kelsey says. “I really love promoting and growing product offerings in the healthcare industry.”

Every internship experience is different, but each holds its own value and lessons. Whether it’s helping to secure a full-time job down the road, emphasizing what you really love (or reminding you what you don’t!), or just adding another key work experience to a resume, internships help students learn and grow… and many times enjoy themselves in the process.