Stevens Institute of Technology: Admissions Blog

Extracurriculars and Co-op Lead to Multiple Job Offers for Senior Isaac Cohen

Senior Isaac Cohen took advantage of the Cooperative Education (co-op) program at Stevens. Through the program, he held two co-op assignments: the first as a project engineer at Automated Control Concepts, where he designed and programmed industrial control systems for clients; and the second as a SharePoint Designer with International Flavors and Fragrances.

“In both co-ops, I learned a tremendous amount about the industry and the technologies that were used,” Isaac says. “These co-ops exposed me to the corporate world and taught me how to manage complex projects efficiently. And as a result of such great experiences, I received full-time job offers from both companies.”

In fact, Isaac received five full-time job offers before accepting a position as an Application Developer for JP MorganChase.

“After carefully reviewing my offers, I decided to join JP MorganChase,” states Isaac. “I always had an interest in finance and was excited to start off my career with a job that would allow me to combine my knowledge of financial engineering and programming. The fast-paced environment as well as the high standard of excellence is what attracted me to JPMC.”

Like many of his peers, Isaac credits the Office of Career Development with aiding his job-search process. At the end of his junior year he attended an informal workshop where he was able to speak to seniors who had just gone through the process of acquiring a job. At the beginning of his senior year, he participated in additional workshops to prepare for interviews and perfect his resume. Because of this, he encourages future students to take advantage of the services offered on campus and to join co-op, all of which offered him experiences that set him apart from other candidates. He also recommends getting involved in clubs/organizations on campus to help with personal and professional growth.

Isaac is an Electrical Engineering major with a minor in Computer Engineering. He will also graduate with a certificate in Financial Engineering, and hopes to earn a Master’s in Financial Engineering down the road. He is the president of Hillel (the Jewish cultural group), a member of the Stevens Honor Board, the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, Eta Kappa Nu electrical and computer engineering honor society, and the Stevens chapter of IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

It was becoming a member of the Stevens Honor Board that he says truly enriched his college experience. Isaac recently attended a conference in Texas on academic integrity and says:

“The purpose of the trip was to present how the Stevens Honor System works and to see what other schools are doing to promote academic integrity. After reviewing other school’s systems, I had a sense of pride when I grasped how well run and advanced our system is. While other universities were just starting to get students involved in their academic integrity system, we have had a completely student run integrity system for over 100 years!” 

These students exemplify that while the Stevens experience can look different for each individual, several constants exist including the real-world preparation one receives and the stand-out moments that are taken with each and every graduate.

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A Reflection: Co-op

From Stevens to the Peace Corps

From Stevens to the Peace Corps

Just a few weeks after she graduates in May, Katie Quish '13 will fly to Liberia, where she'll spend the next two years teaching math and science to children for the Peace Corps. While there, she'll look back on her years at Stevens as a time of learning, exploration and personal growth.

Quish, 22, grew up in Hartford, Conn. Her father is a travel agent and her mother is a teacher. She is an only child. She attended high school at University High School of Science and Engineering, a reputable magnet school affiliated with the University of Hartford. She swam, played tennis and joined the school robotics club.

Quish wanted to attend a college where she could continue to pursue her lifelong interests in science and math. She had been touring colleges throughout the northeast when her uncle, a guidance counselor in New Jersey who used to live in Hoboken, suggested she look at Stevens.

“I fell in love with it instantly,” she said about her first visit to Stevens. “The location is great, and it's the right size school for me. Everyone is involved, and everyone knows everyone, which is great. There's a lot of support around because everyone knows who you are.”

Quish said she overcame the challenge of adapting to college and academic life during her freshman year.

“The first year was rough, and I wasn't ready for it,” she said. “But through repetition I got used to it. When you're involved with things on campus, which is easy to do at Stevens, then you learn that balance. You're always busy so you learn about managing your schoolwork and organizing everything.”

Quish will graduate with a degree in Engineering Management.

“It's still a degree in engineering, but more of the business world,” she said. “I like being able to talk to people and help them manage their projects.”

During her time at Stevens, Quish served on the Entertainment Committee and helped bring events to campus. She also worked in the community with the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and served as vice president for the Stevens chapter of Habitat for Humanity and as treasurer of the Stevens chapter of the Society of Women Entrepreneurs. She spent her senior year spring break in Portland, Ore. building houses with other Habitat volunteers.

Quish also joined the Stevens Cooperative Education program, which helped her land two internships, first with the Louis Berger Group, an engineering firm in Morristown, and then with Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of aerospace company United Technologies Corporation. She worked for Hamilton Sundstrand out its offices in Connecticut and San Diego.

Quish credits one of her professors, Teresa Zigh, with encouraging her to join the Peace Corps. “She was really supportive,” Quish said. “I told her I really want to do the Peace Corps, but I was wondering if I should find a job instead, and she said no, go for it, it's something you want to do and it's in line with your career goals.”

Quish said she's excited about her opportunity to teach abroad, in a country that is recovering from civil war.

“They're really pushing for education over there, and the kids we'll be teaching will be the next generation who will be able to improve Liberia's economy and help them grow,” she said.

She said she's preparing for the change in lifestyle.

“I know it will be really different, going from having everything readily available all the time, to going somewhere where I might not have internet for a month,” she said. “I'm sure it's going to be hard, but it's something I really want to do.”

When she returns, Quish wants to find a job that blends her expertise and interest.

“I'd like to use my engineering and project management skills for international development, and help other countries that might not be as well off,” she said.

In her spare time, Quish enjoys practicing yoga, hanging out with friends, including her sorority sisters in Theta Phi Alpha, and exploring cities like New York, Boston and Washington.

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Stevens Freshmen Jump Right In

The first year of study on any university campus is full of exciting challenges. You discover your passions, hone in on your strengths, find new friends and mentors, and experience tremendous personal and professional growth.

At Stevens, freshman students stand out from the start – intellectually, socially, in the arts and athletics, and within the Hoboken community itself.

Read on about first-year students who took special advantage of the tremendous opportunities at Stevens to excel in every aspect of university life and beyond.

The Leader

Matthew Hunt of Wall Township, N.J. didn’t let his freshman status stop him from running for office. As just a freshman, the Mechanical Engineering major was elected by his fellow students to both the Student Government Association (he is a senator) and the Honor Board (he is co-chair of the Bylaw Committee).

Despite a rigorous academic workload – Hunt is in both the Cooperative Education program and the Stevens Scholars Research Program – he also is extremely active in campus life. He competes on the club volleyball team, serves as a member of the Entertainment Committee, and is rushing for Sigma Nu social fraternity and Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.

“Something I had decided going into college was that I did not want to look back on my graduation day and think, ‘I could have done more,’” Hunt said. “At Stevens, becoming involved in campus life was not a difficult process at all. It has allowed me to not only make friends on campus, but also to make the most of my experience.”

The Musician

Daniel Aleman of Kearny, N.J. is pursuing a double degree in Engineering Management and Music & Technology. In his free time, he pursues his passion for music by performing with the Stevens jazz and concert bands, working in the pit orchestra for musical theater, and volunteering for WCPR, Stevens’ official radio station. Off campus, he moonlights as a live sound and recording engineer.

“I took the initiative to join things that piqued my interests, but advice from upperclassmen and faculty definitely helped,” he said. “Joining one activity here starts a domino effect; you soon find yourself in a whole slew of stuff.”

He said engaging fully in campus life was an easy way to make the successful transition from high school to college. “The more you get involved and socialize, the more people you will meet and you’ll begin to realize a college campus is more than just a set of buildings and students; it’s another home for you,” he said.

The Athletes

Elena Piper, a Quantitative Finance major from Chesapeake, Va., is on the varsity swimming team at Stevens, which helped her develop new friendships and balance her time between practice, meets, classes, studying, socializing, and a host of other activities, including the Honor Board, the business organization Phi Beta Lamda, and the environmental club S.A.V.E.

“Stevens is the perfect college if you’re worried about the adjustment to a college campus,” Piper said. “Most of my friends are on the varsity swim team but my involvement in the Honor Board as well as other clubs has allowed me to meet new people that I otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Business Technology Management major Gavriella Risman-Jones of New Boston, N.H. came to Stevens after being recruited to join the varsity softball team. In addition to softball, she also works in the Office of Residence Life, and is applying to be a Resident Assistant and tour guide.

“I love the community feel of Stevens,” she said. “My professors and teaching assistants know me and make themselves readily available for extra help. Stevens challenges all students, which will only benefit us in the real world.”

The Renaissance Men

Jacob Vanderbilt of Davis, Cali., a Chemical Engineering major, has a great many interests, and at Stevens he found a way to pursue them all. His charitable side finds ways to give back through the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. His inner-leader serves on the student-faculty alliance and organizes student activities through the Entertainment Committee. The athlete in him competes with the Stevens Club Baseball team.

“One of the great things about Stevens is that there are people here who will share your interests,” Vanderbilt said. “I was surprised at how easy it was for me to adjust, especially living over 3,000 miles from home, but Stevens makes it easy. There is so much to do and so many terrific people to meet that you become comfortable quite quickly.”

Charles Shotmeyer of Franklin Lakes, N.J., a Biomedical Engineering major, is also involved in array of groups and activities, including the Student Government Association, the Stevens Club Soccer Team, the Stevens Christian Fellowship, the Biomedical Engineering Society, the College Republicans, and the Stevens Health Professions Club.  

“Due to the size and environment of the campus, I was able to find many people who shared the same interests that I have, while at the same time I was able to try things that were not offered at my high school,” Shotmeyer said. “The possibilities are endless.”

The Performers

Molly Dugan of Morris Plains, N.J. and Trevor Batchelder of Toms River, N.J. spent their freshman years near the stage. Both theater-lovers are members of the Stevens Dramatic Society (SDS), and they have already taken part in several productions.

Dugan, who was in charge of props for the spring musical, is a Mechanical Engineering major who committed to joining the performing arts community during Pre-Orientation, when she met many students who shared her interests, including upperclassmen who encouraged her to join SDS. “Getting involved on campus exposed me to people I may not have been friendly with otherwise,” Dugan said.

In addition to his involvement in SDS, Batchelder also participates in choir and the theater fraternity Theta Alphi Phi. He is also pledging to the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. “The clubs cover a wide variety of interests and there truly is something for everyone,” said Batchelder, a Chemical Engineering major. “On the off chance that there isn’t, it is easy to create your own club.”

What Can Stevens Be for You?

These Stevens students agree that the freshman experience at Stevens is unique. It is easy to become involved, and there are countless options and opportunities to participate in clubs, activities, sports, fraternities, sororities, academic research and must more. All freshmen need to do is decide what is the best fit for them and then dive right in and take advantage.

“Stevens really does a great job of offering a variety of options for student involvement including clubs, professional associations, volunteer opportunities, fraternities and sororities,” said Holly Nelson, assistant director of Student Life. “As students get involved in one campus group, that one activity will usually lead to meeting other students, making friends, and getting involved with more activities they hear about through their friends. The best thing about being a student at Stevens is that if you can’t find what you’re looking for, you have the opportunity to start a new organization with your peers!”

The Stevens Club Fair – an event which occurs annually each fall semester at which every registered club on campus distributes information, meets with potential members, and answers questions – is one key reason. “Seeing all of the different options was really the moment that I decided I wanted to be as involved as I could be,” Hunt said. “All of the clubs actively welcome new members so it’s easy to join up,” Batchelder added.

Participating in Pre-Orientation and Orientation also greatly assists freshmen in adjusting to college life. “The Pre-Orientation experience made all the difference in the world,” Aleman said. “It gave me a family away from home and was an amazing way to start college.”

“I highly recommend doing pre-orientation,” Risman-Jones added. “I made a lot of friends in those few days who I’m still close with now. I was able to get to know my roommates before classes started, and I was also able to familiarize myself with the school earlier.”  

They also credit Stevens’ relatively small undergraduate population as a huge advantage for freshmen students. “Stevens is just big enough that you are always meeting new people, which is great for a freshman, but it’s small enough that you always run into friends,” Dugan said.

“Being with students who are in the same classes, involved in the same things, and have the same struggles as you was truly what allowed me to persevere through my freshman year,” added Hunt.

Piper said the physical size of the campus is another asset. “I love already knowing where all the buildings are and really feeling like the whole campus is just my big home,” she said. 

Stevens hometown, Hoboken, has also been ranked as one of the nation’s best college town, ensuring freshmen have the world at their fingertips. “There is no better location than Hoboken, and having New York only ten minutes away gives you so many things to do,” said Aleman. “There is plenty to do on campus, in Hoboken, and across the river in New York City,” added Batchelder.

And last, the great people at Stevens are perhaps its biggest advantage to first-year students. “Everyone on campus is extremely friendly and inclusive so I was able to meet upperclassman and other freshman extremely easy,” Shotmeyer said. “I was able to talk with upperclassman that had taken classes before and they were able to give me some pointers.”

“The upperclassmen, and people in general at Stevens, are really friendly and want to get you on the right track both academically and socially,” Vanderbilt said. “This friendliness is what made Stevens my first choice when I was looking at colleges, and it continues to reassure me that I made the right decision.”

“The academics here are top-notch, but it’s the people that make it really special,” added Aleman. 

What advice do these stand-out students have for incoming freshmen? Jump right in and worry about the little things later.

“Keep in mind that the first few weeks of the year will be exciting and nerve-wracking and a little bit scary for everyone, but that’s normal, and as the semester continues you’ll find your niche,” Risman-Jones said.

“Be as open as possible,” Hunt added. “College is what you make it, and if you are open to everything happens, it can and will be one of the best experiences of your entire life.”

“Your first year experience is really about casting a wide net, catching a lot, and keeping what you like,” concluded Vanderbilt. “That way you can continue through your Stevens experience doing things you love with people you enjoy.”

A Connected Network: Senior Jennifer Trinh Ready to Innovate at J&J

What’s one way to stand out in an extremely competitive job market? Have a documented resume of experience and established connections. Biomedical Engineering major Jennifer Trinh has parlayed her knowledge, cooperative education (co-op) experience, and the Stevens alumni network into a great job offer while finishing up her senior year. Jennifer will graduate in May with her B.E. in Biomedical Engineering as well as a Project Management graduate certificate. Her focus and ambition, coupled with opportunities for professional practice at Stevens, helped her secure the position she wanted.

“Stevens provided me with the career, leadership and networking opportunities necessary to gain an advantage. The Cooperative Education program that helped me secure two eight-month long assignments where I made critical workflow improvements and developed training guidelines for my companies,” Jennifer describes. “For my final summer experience, I decided to seek my own internship at J&J and worked closely with the Office of Career Development and Stevens alumni. In this internship, I built a strong network of more than 10 Stevens alumni from Ethicon and J&J IT, some of whom were already my mentors in college.”

Though it was the internship at Johnson & Johnson that directly led to her full-time offer with Depuy Syntheses in their prestigious Information Technology Leadership Development Program (ITLDP), her co-op experiences at Stryker Orthopaedics and Jarchem Industries, Inc. also prepared her for starting her first rotation as an Associate Analyst with project management duties. A two-year rotational program offering leadership development in both business and technology, the ITLDP is a perfect place for Jennifer, whose goal is to work for a healthcare company that specializes in clinical research, healthcare education, medical technology and service to the community.

Despite participating in many activities, Jennifer credits Greek Life as a standout experience during her time at Stevens: “In Fall 2009, I joined a small local sorority where the women were ambitious and one-of-a-kind. Its diverse sisterhood shared the same values as mine: friendship, loyalty, and love. It has been most rewarding because of the opportunities to meet new people, take on leadership roles, participate in Greek social events, and serve as a mentor for young women. More recently, I had the honor of bringing my sorority to national status by chartering the Gamma Chi Chapter of Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity and expanding its network to over 25,000 collegians and alumnae – not many people can put that on their resume!”

Looking ahead, Jennifer says she would like to spearhead future medical technology education programs for professionals like the Ethicon Professional Education program and complete a Master’s degree in Project Management. She urges other students to bring their own brand of “value-added” to everything they do, as each individual makes the world a better place with their bright ideas.

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Welcome Stevens Class of 2015

First Days on Campus: Sunny with a Chance of Fun... Despite Irene!

Stevens is excited to welcome its largest group of incoming freshmen ever, as members of the Class of 2015 officially begin classes this week.  

New students had much to see and do in their first days as Ducks. Undergraduate Orientation kicked off Wednesday, August 24, and those who participated in Pre-Orientation activities arrived the previous weekend for exciting activities included in the Outdoor Adventure, City Life, Sports and Fitness, and Performing Arts experiences that Stevens offers.

Orientation included a jam-packed schedule of events - the family BBQ and information fair, President's dinner, Freshmen Summer Games, and Stevens Luau were highlights among an exciting lineup of celebrations.     

 Hurricane Irene proved a slight challenge, but, on the flip side, the storm created a unique opportunity for new students to get a more immediate sense of the welcoming and socially conscious culture at Stevens. 

In the early morning of Saturday, August 27, the day of the storm's expected arrival - and four days into Student Orientation - over two dozen freshmen and their orientation leaders chipped in to help the mayor of Hoboken, Dawn Zimmer, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members distribute critical information about evacuation and preparedness to city residents.

"We initially expected to be making calls from City Hall, but, instead, we set out on foot. We were given fliers in English and Spanish of the precautions everyone in Hoboken was to take during the storm," said Juliet Turalski, Stevens student and Orientation Leader.  "Those living in the basement of an apartment building had a mandatory evacuation notice, and all others who chose to stay in Hoboken during the storm had to be notified about how severe the storm was going to be and what they needed to do to prepare. It was tiring, and every volunteer stayed in it - doing the job without complaint. In my eyes, that showed a lot of integrity. It was a community service not many would do in such a critical time. I know Stevens students made a difference in Hoboken that day."

Originally designed as a park, waterfront, and community center painting and cleanup event (a new community service component of Student Orientation), Saturday morning's activity was modified to provide critical assistance to the city during the crisis. "The experience showed me how Hoboken, despite being a major city, is still a close-knit community where people look out for each other," said Robert Hale, incoming civil engineering student and one of the community service volunteers. "I don't feel like an interloper. I feel like a Hoboken resident."

Robert is one of 620 incoming students selected from more than 4,000 applicants this spring. These exceptional students not only make up the largest class, they enter Stevens as the most competitive and selective class in the University's history.  They will all soon learn that collaboration and benevolence are simply part of the mix here at Stevens.  

As always, Stevens' returning students played a significant role in welcoming the incoming class with open arms, cheers, and an outpouring of guidance and support. "Everyone here has been nice, and I've felt very welcome," said Terrance White, a freshman from Scotch Plains, New Jersey. "It's so comfortable and peaceful, which is especially remarkable with New York City only steps away."

Meet Stevens' New Student Government Leaders

Fast-approaching the 100^th senate of Stevens’ Student Government Association (SGA), Nick Catania and Abhay Sampath take the helm as newly elected (2011-2012) president and vice president, respectively.  Assuming top position on their agenda is a concerted effort to increase the already robust and diverse representation of clubs and organizations on campus - something that makes Stevens distinct. They aim to position the SGA as a central point of information for extracurricular activities and inspire students to come up with ways to make the Stevens experience even better.

“With almost 100 student-run organizations on campus, there are so many ways to get involved.  You can join media organizations, ethnic and professional societies, sports, Greek life, and so much more.  Students are always starting new clubs and finding new ways to explore their interest," Catania said.  "The funds for these organizations are in the hands of students, and everyone is determined to be successful. There is clearly a great advantage for students here.”

Both Catania and Sampath will be entering their final year as Stevens undergraduates, and they are very excited to be holding their new leadership positions.   These are students who have taken full advantage of opportunities for student involvement at Stevens.  Catania is a double major – engineering physics and music & technology (with a concentration in music composition).  He is also a member of Gear and Triangle, Stevens Jazz Band, Stevens Dramatic Society, and he was on the winning team of the Northeast Regional Ethics Bowl.  Sampath is a Stevens Scholar who will earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering when he graduates in 2012.  He is a former member of the Stevens Honor Board and a member of a number of extracurricular clubs. In addition, this past fall semester (2010), he studied abroad at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

“My study abroad experience was amazing,” Sampath said. “It was one of those college experiences that gets you out of your comfort zone and opens your eyes to different environments, outside of what you learn in the classroom.  This was the first time I had the opportunity to experience new cultures and travel to such remarkable destinations as Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I’m happy that Stevens was able to connect me to other parts of the world.”

With most of their undergrad years behind them, Catania - a graduate of Marlboro High School (Marlboro, NY) - and Sampath - a graduate of Middlesex County Academy (Edison, NJ) - look back on their transformation and credit Stevens with helping them become campus leaders.  Stevens’ close-knit community engages students in ways other larger universities cannot.  They say everyone at Stevens is motivated to work together, take on new challenges and make things happen.

Their message to incoming freshmen?  Take advantage of the available opportunities to get involved.  Freshmen, for example, eager to take on new leadership roles, can run for the SGA Senate positions early on in their first semester.  And Pre-Orientation is a great way to be introduced into the community before the school year begins.  It helps many students get a jump start on making new friends and building relations that will last through, and well-beyond, their careers at Stevens.  “We can’t wait to see you at Stevens this fall, and we’re looking forward to getting you started on your new adventure!” Catania said.

The Stevens Summer: Programs for High School Students

July - August 2011

Multimedia Production,  Business, 

or Engineering & Science 

    Each summer, talented high school students from around the world diverge from traditional summer break plans to participate in The Stevens Summer.   Why? 

    Because The Stevens Summer is about challenge, discovery and exploration, in interesting fields of study but also in friendship and fun!  

        

    Add the benefit of Stevens' amazing location, and it's an unbeatable proposition for the summer break.  Living on campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, on the banks of the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan is exciting!      

    If you're a rising junior or senior in high school who is interested in engineering, science, business or multi-media production, The Stevens Summer should be on your radar.  Apply Today!

    Take it from a past participant...                                           

"Every day was a new adventure into the world of engineering. We worked together in labs with professors from the college and met with professionals in the field from large companies like Becton Dickinson and Schering-Plough. One of the most rewarding parts of the program was learning about each specific field in engineering, ranging from mechanical to chemical engineering, through real field lab experience. We also competed in numerous engineering competitions: a programming competition (my group won!), a naval engineering design competition (we sank), and a chemical-biology bubble gum competition (we won - pineapple flavor!), among many others. However, the program brought much more into my life than experience in engineering. It brought me a taste of college life." 

     

Chasing a Sailing Goal

Stevens Graduate Works to Compete in 2012 Olympics

Efe Kuyumcu was seven years old the first time he went sailing. Neighbors at a vacation village where he was with family offered to take the youngster out for an afternoon on the water. When he returned to shore the boy was hooked but it would be another five years before he sailed again.

“I thought about it a lot,” said Kuyumcu, a native of Turkey and recent Stevens graduate. “But the sailing club by us closed down and we soon moved to a different area.”

Fueled by determination and desire when Kuyumcu turned twelve he was able to return to the water. He was named to the Turkish junior national sailing team and competed heavily between 1998 and 2003, winning several prestigious competitions.

Things were moving along smoothly for Kuyumcu until he was grounded with an injury at the age of 18. It was at that time Kuyumcu began thinking about his future. Not only in the sport of sailing, but academically.

That is how he wound up in Hoboken, N.J. along the banks of the Hudson River at Stevens Institute of Technology. He decided to turn his passion for the water into a full-fledged career.

In 2006 he enrolled in the Naval Engineering program at Stevens and graduated this past December with a Bachelor of Science degree. Kuyumcu kept his thoughts in sailing and began a strict exercise regimen to heal his injuries and strengthen himself.

“In the morning I would do endurance exercises like running, cycling, and rowing,” he said. “During the day I would go to class and then have another work out.”

One thing he did not do, however, was sail.  Not only was it going to be difficult to find an Olympic Class Heavyweight sailboat that he could use on a regular basis while living in New Jersey, but also the swift currents of the Hudson River were not conducive for effective training.

So he focused on the exercise and also learned new things about sailing from his courses. Armed with the new information, when Kuyumcu finally got back on the water, he was a stronger, smarter sailor.

“It is now easier for me to understand the water, and make me a bit faster when sailing,” he said of his Naval Engineering knowledge. “Now I can factor in the elements from what I learned at Stevens.”

His hard work paid off and late last year Kuyumcu was re-elected to the Turkish Olympic Sailing Team of 2011. Over the next year and a half Kuyumcu and another athlete will compete and eventually, one will be selected to compete in the 2012 Olympics to be held in London.

While focused on those games, he is also setting his sights on the 2016 Olympics and a chance to represent his country – and Stevens – in Rio de Janeiro

When asked how his life has changed since his recent graduation, Kuyumcu says that he has maintained his exercise schedule only now he uses the time spent in class on the water.

It is when he is out there, alone on the water, that he is most focused these days. “It’s instinct, but it feels right. It’s why I keep going back to it,” he said. “It just feels right.”

Alumna Mary Kelly Reflects on Experience in Haiti

When alumna Mary Kelly graduated in 2009, she launched from Stevens with more than an engineering management degree and a full-time position at the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.  In her time at Stevens, she also developed a strong sense of community and a desire to help others, qualities that proved particularly valuable in a situation she could have never imagined and in a place far removed from her life in New Jersey.

For nearly a month, Mary volunteered in the relief efforts post last year’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti.  And in that time, she unwittingly put her engineering skills and compassion to the test, experiencing the tedious, hard work of clearing crumbled homes and schools, organizing medical relief at a hospital encampment and witnessing the resilience of a people she would have never known.

On the anniversary of this catastrophic event, Mary recounted with our staff some of the details from her days in an area in Haiti where 90% of the buildings were damaged, no government infrastructure remained, and the death toll reached between 20,000 to 30,000, according to a United Nations assessment, she reported. 

After the earthquake, Mary said it didn’t take much deliberation on her end to decide to request vacation time at work, purchase a plane ticket and connect with the non-profit group, Hands On Disaster Relief (now All Hands).   Soon after making the arrangements, she was on her way to Léogâne, a coastal Haitian city about 18 miles west of Port-Au-Prince (the epicenter of the earthquake), and one that Mary refers to as the shattered city by the sea.

“I realized that not only did I want to go, but I could.  I’m in good health, single, no children, and have the privilege of a job with vacation time,” she said. “All Hands had helped in other natural disasters, and the earthquake relief in Haiti was their biggest project. I was eager to be part of that.”  

LESSONS LEARNED

As a volunteer, Mary gave her time and energy, at times risking her own safety and comfort, coping with, for example, the aftershocks and smaller-scale earthquakes that continued to shake the area.  But she said she also received a great deal.  For one, she learned some vital lessons about life in an earthquake-torn region, some of which are expressed in the journal she shared:

 “Lesson One: Haitian patience. Upon our arrival, it was clear that patience was everything. It started with digging through two flights worth of luggage for our bags because there was no power for conveyor belts at the airport. But of course that expanded to wondering how we could help such a destroyed city in such a short amount of time. Yet after a few days removing rubble, it was clear that progress could be made, just at a much slower pace than we could have imagined. It seemed that by sheer force of will, among a street of collapsed houses, one would get cleared out and a little shelter would go up. Then shortly after, another, and so on. One wheelbarrow load at a time was slowly clearing Léogâne of rubble and giving families a place to begin building new lives.

Lesson Two: How to ‘Rubble’. ‘Rubbling’ entailed spending most of our time sledge-hammering broken schools and homes into bits small enough to shovel into wheelbarrows and then dragging them out to the street where we either crushed down the rubble to fix the roads or piled for the government workers to haul off in bigger dump trucks. My first rubbling assignment was at Pyramid School. Armed with shovels, wheelbarrows, sledge hammers and pickaxes, we would be greeted every morning without fail by the smiles and laughter of many of the children that attend the school. They worked side-by-side with us all day, every day we were there. I was even taught how to sledge-hammer by a nine-year-old boy named Orlando. After almost a week of back-breaking work, we were able to make the school safe and ready for classes to start. I don’t think I’ve ever seen kids so excited to go back to school.”

LITTLE BY LITTLE

Mary also recalled a day she was directed to help a woman whose family home – which had been steadily built and preserved over eight generations – had crumbled to ruins in the quake.  After hours and hours of rubbling, Mary asked the woman how she copes. “Knowing how long it had taken her family to build this big, beautiful home, I asked her, ‘How do you do this day after day without falling apart?  I don’t know if I could handle it like you are.’ And her answer said so much about her and maybe even the people of Haiti as a whole. She expressed to me a Creole saying, which in English translates: Little by little, the bird builds its nest,” recounted Mary. “Her answer said a lot about resilience, and it’s a something I’ll never forget.” 

All purpose and all encompassing, Mary said her work in Léogâne was simply about contributing all that she could. In addition to rubbling, she worked at a field hospital stepping in wherever needed.  In this capacity, she also used her engineering skills to develop a system for managing the hospital’s inventory, something she noticed didn’t exist, and a solution that was well-received, she said. 

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Realizing the privileges that awaited her back in the U.S., she even accelerated her efforts in the end. “Up to my last days there, I had at least been somewhat cautious and careful with my body to prevent injuries or illness.  But in the final stretch, I totally pushed myself,” she said.  “I thought, ‘I need to put in my all. Anything bad that might happen to my body, America can fix it.  I gave away my boots and some other things.  I even lost my camera somewhere along the way.  Those things seemed insignificant after experiencing what people can and do live without.”

 

 

 

 

 

Alumna Dominique Gonzalez: From Stevens to Product Engineer at Fisher-Price/Mattel

Since 2004, mechanical engineering graduate Dominique Gonzalez (B.E. `04, M.E. `10) has been a product engineer for Fisher-Price/Mattel in New York City.  True to the company’s mission of “Creating the Future of Play”, she is specifically responsible for the production of some of the most popular, innovative toys on the market.  For the average consumer, it’s hard to imagine all the work behind creating the fun children have with the latest toys, but listening to Dominique describe her role in getting the company’s products on the shelf – through the various stages of concept and design to manufacturing, packaging and distribution – cultivates a keen sense of appreciation for her job as well as the education she received at Stevens.

As product engineer, Dominique is charged with considering, first, if the toy design is manufacture-able, and if so, ensuring that it is developed through the production cycle, including debugging and safety inspections, ultimately making sure the product meets expectations in every way.  As highly sophisticated and complex as it is, Dominique describes her job as a fun place to be.  Considering some of her favorite products – Handy Manny Toolbox, Elmo Live, and the Sesame Street Cars– that’s not surprising. “In a job like mine, it’s actually ‘ok’ to watch cartoons and get excited about toys,” she said.  “It’s fulfilling to see my products in the stores, to see parents buy them.  Really, I get to make things that make kids happy!”

Dominique’s success at work and in life, she says, is linked to several factors.  Recalling her days as a student at Verona High School in New Jersey, Dominique pointed to her mother’s high expectations and how that ultimately led to her applying and getting accepted to Stevens. “I was always pushed to do well in school,” she said.  “A’s were expected, and if I was struggling with getting those, I was encouraged to find help and support. There were no exceptions.”  Her uncle being a mechanical engineer was also an influence. “A few things he told me about the field that inspired me: one, that mechanical engineers are versatile and two, engineers, generally, are taught to be good at problem-solving,” Dominique said. “At Stevens, that all held to be true. I learned to handle people and projects, how to organize them into an efficient whole.  Product engineer for Fisher-Price/Mattel, which was first a temporary position, was my first job in the field. I adapted to a complex process of product design and project management very quickly. I did a great job, and they kept me on as a regular full time product engineer. That really is a testament to my Stevens education and the support I received through the Career Development Office.”

Dominique is equally appreciative of the solidarity she had at Stevens, which she gained through several activities: varsity women’s volleyball, the Black Student Union (BSU), Latin American Association (LAA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program (STEP), and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).  “At Stevens, everyone is willing to help,” she said. “It’s challenging, for sure, but very supportive.”

The highlight of her experience at Stevens?  Senior design, she said.  And this is what she feels incoming students need to know if they’re weighing several colleges.  “Senior design is the most important hands-on dive into your major. It’s amazing,” Dominique said.  “Beyond the books, you seriously learn here by doing – like building mock ups, outputting information to the model shop, designing and running simulations.  By the time you leave Stevens, you understand and are confident because of this experience. It makes you distinct out there in the industry.” 

Dominique’s senior design project won top prize at the New Jersey Chapter meeting of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE).  The “Remotely-Operated Stitching Device,” was an exercise in pharmaceutical engineering.  Her team’s primary goal was to provide an innovative way to reduce, if not eliminate, invasive surgery. More specifically, the aim was to develop a method for securing an endovascular stent-graft in place from within the aorta using spiral Nitinol clips.  In addition to winning first place in the ISPE Poster Competition, the project won Stevens’ Technogenesis Award in 2004, and the team filed a U.S. patent for the device.  They also earned a National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Association grant. “I learned a lot during the senior design experience,” Dominique said. “And the highlights of the project were a big deal. We got to present in San Jose at a professional conference.  Most memorable for me, though, is having worked with Professor Zhengi Zhu, our senior design advisor. He is really incredible.  Working with faculty like him – very much known out there for his expertise, his research, and yet so available to students – is what you get at Stevens, and that makes all the difference.”