Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

Graduate School on the Horizon

Graduating seniors aren’t just busy securing jobs for after graduation, many Stevens students are hard at work on graduate school applications. Jake Mower, a senior Engineering Physics major, has that part behind him and now has to decide which graduate school to attend.

Jake, who credits his involvement in the Technogenesis Summer Scholars Program as a big part of his success, has been accepted into five prestigious graduate programs. With offers to attend Columbia, Stanford, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of Rochester and Cornell, Jake will begin his graduate studies at one of those schools in the fall. He will pursue his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Quantum Information Processing, an emerging field in which Jake hopes to make his career.

Through the Office of Academic Entrepreneurship at Stevens, Jake was able to participate in several diverse research projects during his time here. Beginning in the summer after his freshman year, Jake was a part of a research project each summer, allowing him to discover a whole range of research options and to hone in on his true passion. He says: “As easy as it is at Stevens to get involved with research, students still need to put forth the effort to become fully integrated into the projects. Talk to the professors, write the proposals… your research experience is very important when it comes to grad school applications.”

During his time at Stevens, Jake has also been active in many of our music and dramatic organizations and clubs, including the concert band, jazz band, jazz combo, Stevens Dramatic Society, and the orchestra for DeBaun productions. Jake is also a member of the Society of Stevens Physics Students.

As Jake moves on to pursue his Ph.D., he remains committed to research and the power that research experience has for students. He asserts: “The research experience that Stevens students get is so important. That experience gives us the advantage. It really makes a name for us as Stevens students, sets us apart and makes us highly competitive.” Jake can name at least five esteemed schools that completely agree.

From Stevens to the “Real World”

The Class of 2009 is poised to continue the impressive career placement rate of previous Stevens graduating classes. Last year more than 97% of the graduating class was placed with an average starting salary of $60,200. This year, we’re on target to maintain that tradition, even in the face of the current economic trend. 

One such student is Matt Fitzsimmons (ME, ’09) who has secured a position with ExxonMobil, one of several job offers he received. Matt will be working in Houston for ExxonMobil’s development company, using what he’s learned at Stevens: “The knowledge and analytical thinking skills I’ve acquired here I will be able to apply to the business aspect of what I’ll be doing.” He feels that in addition to his classes and education here, Stevens has helped prepare him for his transition to full-time work in a different city. Matt continues: “I am very involved on-campus, and I know that as long as I get involved at ExxonMobil, I will be fine.”

Matt credits the Office of Career Development with helping him in his career path during his time here. He interned every summer – holding positions at Turner Construction and Deloitte – attended career fairs, and secured interviews by working closely with the staff. In fact, one of the features that initially drew Matt to Stevens was the success with job placement here. He says: “Career Development really gets you focused from day one, and in tough times like this that really helps.” Matt also liked that the students he met when he visited campus were focused on the end goal, and seemed to use their time here to achieve that goal. Being able to relate to that and wanting to be a part of that, Matt knew that Stevens was the right choice for him.

Being involved is something else that Matt feels very strongly about. During his time at Stevens, he has been a member of Gear and Triangle, ASME, American Cultural Club, Resident Hall Association, and intramural football, basketball, soccer and softball, as well as serving as a Peer Mentor. Matt is also currently the Athletic Broadcaster for Stevens sports and an RA. He held a third internship, as a New York Giants Game Day intern for two seasons, providing marketing support and attending games at Giants Stadium.

Matt begins his job in July, and he is looking forward to the on-job-training, travel and worldwide opportunities that await him. In the meantime, he feels fortunate that he is able to relax a bit and enjoy the remainder of his senior year. When asked what advice he’d give to current – and future – Stevens students, Matt says: “Find where you fit in here, but think ahead too. College goes by very quickly and then you’re in the ‘real world’.”

Green Engineering in the News

A very timely option for students to focus on, Green Engineering – one of the many relevant minors available at Stevens – is gaining momentum and drawing attention. Today, two Stevens students were featured in an article in the Star-Ledger dedicated to the importance of the study of environmental issues. Nick Faust (Mechanical Engineering, ’09) and Danielle Bisson (Environmental Engineering, ’10) are both pursuing the Green Engineering minor and weigh in on why they feel strongly about this course of study.

Check out the full article here: http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/03/new_courses_prepare_students_f.html

To learn more about the Stevens Green Engineering minor, visit: http://www.stevens.edu/sit/admissions/academics/upload/greenengineering.pdf

More Ducks Headed to NCAA Tournament

For the first time in the 13-year history of the program, the Stevens women’s basketball team has advanced to the NCAA Championships, claiming their first Empire 8 Conference title in the process. The excitement begins this Friday, as the Ducks face off against the University of Mary Washington at host location NYU.

Check out the full story: http://www.stevensducks.com/sports/wbball/release.asp?release_id=4498 and stay tuned for updates as the tournament progresses.

GO DUCKS!!