Next we turn to Amitoj. She’s double majoring in political science and emerging technology in business and design. And she has an interesting story about how an advisor in Miami University’s Career Center helped her land an internship at a major company. Take it away Amitoj.
– Hi everyone. My favorite part of my Miami journey thus far has been the mentorship and opportunities I’ve been able to receive. My two mentors on campus are Dr. Christina Carrubba-Whetstine. the director of the Rinella Learning Center and Mr. Michael Turner, my career advisor at Miami’s Career Center. Being a woman of color, a first-generation American and a first-generation college student means that there’s a lot of imposter syndrome in my life. But through my relationship with these two phenomenal individuals, I am able to rise above that and realize every day that I can do anything I set my mind to. Through the support of Christina, I was able to co-found Miami University’s Women of Color And Excellence Group. Starting a completely new organization amidst a global pandemic is pretty challenging, but being able to know when to step up as a leader and more importantly, knowing when to step back and allow others to shine has set a precedent for leadership and advocacy for the rest of my life. Being empowered is great, but being able to empower others is phenomenal. Speaking of my career, I recently interned for Dominion Energy and I have one person to thank for this, Mr. Michael Turner. One day, just a few hours before Dominion Energy’s application for their diversity and energy conference was due, Mr. Turner sent me an email encouraging me to apply. I thought this was pretty weird. I had never saw myself as a fit for corporate America, but I applied nonetheless because of how well Mr. Turner knew me. After attending this conference, I fell in love with Dominion Energy and learned how to market myself as a professional and ended up scoring a public policy internship with Dominion Energy. And I’m already getting recruited by a top four company for next summer. None of this would have been possible without my mentors here at Miami University who believed in me from day one that I could be in rooms that I never imagined I could be. Miami University has taught me not only to love and honor others, but to love and honor myself. And this is why I’m forever grateful to be a Red Hawk. Now, back to you Alex.
– Great job Amitoj. Your stories prove how mentorship can make all the difference in the world. And at Miami they obviously work to ensure that students from all majors get the same level of career preparation. We can’t wait to see what you do next Amitoj. You’re an inspiration to first-generation students everywhere. Thanks again for that.
Okay, everyone, let’s start off by meeting Grae. She’s a pre-med senior studying chemical engineering here at Mines. She’s gonna share a little more about Mines’ hometown of Golden, the perfect location for exploring all Colorado has to offer. Grae, please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. When it came time for me to apply to college, I was really torn between wanting to stay close to my family in Colorado, and wanting to explore someplace new. When I had the opportunity to visit campus for the first time, I realized that attending Mines would provide me with the best of both worlds. Golden’s quaint mountain town feel makes it seem like I’m somewhere far from home, but I’m still close enough to go to family dinners and to see my dogs regularly. Golden’s unique location allows me to easily drive into downtown Denver for Rockies baseball games, to Red Rocks amphitheater for concerts, and into the mountains to go skiing and paddle boarding. This is perfect for me because I’m able to keep my job as a mermaid at the Denver aquarium, and discover new hobbies, like rock climbing. I’m also able to participate in internship opportunities at nearby companies who are excited to work with Mines students. During the summer, after my freshman year, I even had the opportunity to work with a company 15 minutes from campus that 3D prints custom medical equipment and has virtual surgical planning. Plus, within walking distance from campus is the heart of downtown Golden. You can get a bite to eat, shop at local businesses, hike South Table mountain, go tubing in Clear Creek, or visit cultural attractions, like the Mountaineering Museum and the Mines Museum of Earth Science. As a student here at Mines, you won’t have any trouble finding ways to fill your study breaks. I feel so fortunate to go to a school that feels like home and allows me to broaden my horizons. As I look back on my college career, I can’t imagine myself anywhere other than at Mines. That’s it for me. Back to you, Alex.
– Grae, thank you for giving us a tour through Golden and sharing all the fun activities you can enjoy around campus and take a break from your studies. This location is absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing that.
Next up, we have Eliseo, a senior studying mechanical engineering. He is practiced at finding the balance between his academics and social life, mostly due to the close community he’s found here at Mines. Tell us more, Eliseo.
– Gracias, Alex. Hi, everyone. When I was a kid, I always wanted to be an inventor and change the world. So when I found out I had the potential to go to college, I made school my priority. I even rode the bus across town to go to a college prep high school. Once I found out about Mines being the top engineering school in Colorado, I knew I wanted to go here. Coming from an underrepresented background, I was used to the mentality that I had to work extra hard to find success. Success to me is building a balanced lifestyle between what you love and what you want to do. And for me, that’s family, friends, and building a professional engineering career to make change happen. Mines helps me achieve this by allowing me to dedicate my efforts to my studies while still challenging my academic skillset. Luckily, I’ve been able to find me familia on campus through the Multicultural Engineering Program and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. These student organizations give me the feel of a close knit family, which come in handy during late study nights. Mines make sure this is true for everyone, offering both social and professional events that bring the community together. With clubs and organizations that cover all interests and unique traditions, like the M climb and E days, and professional development opportunities, like our huge career fair specifically for engineers, scientists, and makers, there’s something for everyone to get involved and find their family at Mines. I know I can trust what I’ve learned here at Mines to kickstart my career and make change happen. That’s it for me. Back to you, Alex.
– That’s awesome, Eliseo. Your experience of finding a community to help you through the rigors of Mines is a fantastic story. Thanks again for sharing that.
Okay. Now we’re gonna check in with Hayden, a junior studying computer science with a business specialty is gonna to tell us a little more of what it’s like to be a Mines student outside the classroom. Take it away, Hayden.
– Thanks, Alex. I appreciate you. Growing up, I could never settle on one individual interest, passion, or career path. Thankfully, at Mines, I can be whoever I want to be. I love being part of the community where I never have to be just one type of person. The faculty, staff, and talent at Mines work to make sure that you get to make the most of your student experience. Despite my busy course load, my advisors, supervisors, and professors make sure to help me so that I can be as involved as I want with my favorite clubs and organizations, undergraduate research, community service, and my creative passions. Orediggers value holistic learning and making sure you’re never just an engineer. I’ve been involved with the Mines Residence Hall Association, undergraduate student government, TAing, the Harvey Scholars Program, McBride and Blue Key Honors programs, student photography and video production, and the Mines Foundation. Whether you’re acting in Mines’ little theater, or participating in our world-class undergraduate research, showing your Oredigger in club rugby, making the project of your wildest dreams in our fully fledged maker-space, or involved with community service through our honor societies or undergraduate student government, there is a place that’s right for you on the Mines campus. Mines combines a world class education with a uniquely Golden student experience. Situated between the Table mountains and the Glowing Mines M, you can’t find a community quite like this anywhere else. If you come to campus, come check out any number of our amazing student experiences that makes Mines as incredible as it is. Mines has allowed me to find myself in a way that would not be possible at other schools. The close knit community, access to ample opportunities, in academics and extracurriculars, and the world-class education is what makes Colorado School of Mines so special. If you’re ready to make the most of your college experience, then Mines ready to make the most of you. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Hayden. You’ve tried a lot of different things in your time here at Mines. That is fantastic. Those special experiences will surely be some of the most memorable. Thanks for giving us a sneak peek into all Mines has to offer. Take care.
Okay, everyone, we’re gonna to head over to the Alliance for the Development of Additive Processing Technology Center and meet up with Craig, a mechanical engineering professor and director of the Advanced Manufacturing Program here at Mines. He’s gonna share more about the benefits Mines’ close industry connections have for students and future innovation. It’s all yours, Craig.
– Thanks, Alex. Before becoming a professor at Mines, I worked collaboratively alongside faculty and students as an industry researcher, developing advanced manufacturing and materials. Mines is a place where students are introduced to the cutting-edge. I see this happening in the advanced manufacturing program that I lead, where we are driving implementation of 3D printed parts in a wide variety of industries. And Mines is paving the way in other emerging industries by offering new programs, such as the first space resources graduate program in the solar system, and one of the nation’s first quantum engineering programs. So whether a student’s interest is in the vastness of space, the quirks of the subatomic, or anywhere in between, Mines has them covered. But how does this innovation happen? Well, thanks in part to Mines’ close ties with industry and by giving students hands-on opportunities to work on real world projects from day one. I work closely with an industry consortium, the Alliance for the Development of Additive Processing Technologies, or ADAPT, where we develop and implement 3D printed products in a variety of industries. National labs, like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, help us build top notch programs and pipelines for our students. Student projects, including capstone design, and various out of the classroom innovation challenges bring leading industry experts to campus to provide face-to-face feedback and mentorship. We’ve even had some TV stars on campus, like Adam Savage, who was so impressed with the work we’re doing here and our students, that he asked us to help him build a titanium superhero suit that flew in 2019. At Mines, students don’t just learn the basics, they get to try their hand at cutting-edge technologies on projects with top companies, government agencies, and national labs. This gives them an inside look at the working world, and puts them at the forefront of innovation in a way that they can’t find anywhere else. Take it back, Alex.
– That’s incredible, Craig. Where else can you work on a real life superhero suit? Hearing about all the opportunities to work on interesting projects with real world applications is so cool. Thank you for sharing that with us. Take care.
Okay, now, let’s hear from Isabella, a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering. She’s had some cool research opportunities here at Mines, but that wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar professors who guide her through and push her to pursue her passions. Tell us more, Isabella.
– Salamat, Alex. Hi, everyone. Growing up in the Philippines, I didn’t get a lot of chances to study engineering, but I was always looking to study something new, innovative, and exciting. So when the opportunity came to pursue my PhD here at Mines, I jumped on it. Meeting my current research advisor, professor Leslie Lamberson, changed everything. She introduced me to a research field I never even knew existed. And now I get to do some of the coolest experiments on campus under one of the best professors in the field. I work at the Extreme Structures and Materials Lab where I break things at high speed, and use cameras that can image up to a million frames per second to observe material behavior under extreme conditions. With this research, I hope to develop better and stronger materials for aerospace applications. Professor Lamberson guided me from day one, and took a chance on a girl from the Philippines who didn’t know the first thing about aerospace. She inspired me to not only pursue my passion, but excel at it. Just like professor Lamberson, all the faculty and staff I’ve interacted with on campus are absolutely awesome, because they care about who you are and not just what you’re studying. Professors love bumping into students, whether it’s in the hallways, at the local climbing gym, or even breweries. Their faces light up when I see them on campus or around Golden, and that kind of interaction honestly makes my day. When I first moved to Colorado, I had no idea what to expect, and I’m glad I didn’t because everything here would have exceeded those expectations anyway. I truly feel like I’m part of the Mines family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I graduate, I feel confident that I will have the skills and support I need to contribute to the advancement of aerospace engineering. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Isabella, you are a rock star, and I’m so glad you’re able to find the support and inspiration you needed to thrive in your work here at Mines. Thanks for sharing your story. Cheers.
Next, we’re gonna meet Gabriel, a sophomore studying computer science. He’s gonna tell us more about what it’s like to gain a global experience at Mines, whether that’s through study abroad and international trips, or learning about and experiencing different cultures right here on campus. Gabriel, take it away.
– Thank you for that awesome introduction, Alex. Glad to be here. For me, the idea of learning more about anything always excites me After I moved to the United States from Venezuela, so many opportunities opened up for me that I didn’t know what to focus on. It was my junior year of high school when I first heard about Mines. By this point, I had already developed a passion for programming and technology. So when I heard that Mines was a STEM focused school that offer computer science as one of its majors, all while being just far away enough from home, I knew it was the one for me. At Mines, I’ve been able to explore all sorts of interests. From mentoring others, to getting involved with clubs on campus, and trying out all manners of sports. And in all those experiences, I found myself drawn to the different cultures of all the people on campus. Whether they’re from a nearby city or a country thousands of miles away, I always appreciate listening to them speak about their experiences and traditions that you can’t find anywhere else. With a large international student population and numerous global experiences, Mines students are able to learn the value of new perspectives and the benefits of collaboration. Whether it’s a service project to help out a local community, a study abroad opportunity in countries like France, Japan, or New Zealand, or checking out internationally on campus each year, Mines students have an amazing experience. No matter what path you take while here, you’ll be able to explore your interests and gain a global experience unlike any other. That’s all I’ve got. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
– That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing your perspective. It’s so cool that you can have a global experience at Mines sometimes without even leaving campus. Take care, Gabriel.
Now, Maryam is gonna introduce us to all the cool research happening at Mines. Maryam’s pursuing a PhD in civil engineering and is focused on solving the world’s most pressing challenges. Take it away, Maryam.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by the idea of helping people in need. When I realized that improving infrastructure, water treatment plans, dams, and transportation system help to improve everyday lives, I decided to become a civil engineer to make this vision a reality. I wanted to come to Mines because it’s the home of the only underground construction antennal engineering graduate program in North America. The program develops new ideas and technologies for advancing civil infrastructure, and including space and structures for working, living, and playing, and tunnels for transit roads, hyperloops, water utilities, and energy. Plus, Mines is one of few universities in the US to offer approved grand challenges in engineering program, which prepares the student to become a global problem solver and tackles the problems faced in society now. Mines connects all the dots to achieve my dreams to become a successful civil engineer involved in solving global problems. I got to work on a cutting-edge research focused on sustainability and energy conservation. My research aims to employ a novel bike route for tunneling support as alternative to the ordinary cement, which is the second largest industry that lead to CO2 emission, a major contributor to climate change. With many world-class research centers enclosed industrial partnerships with companies like, Lockheed Martin and the US Geological Survey, not to mention some of the top certificates, masters, and PhD programs in the world, there is always interesting and innovative research happening at Mines, focused on finding solutions in energy, environment, manufacturing, robotics, even space resources. Mines is a place with world changing ideas where I can prove women can be part of finding solutions for grand challenges. And from what I have learned here, I can prove everyday lives and break stereotypes. This is my story. And now back to you, Alex.
– Maryam, that was so inspiring. It sounds like there’s no shortage of ways Mines students can help make a difference and work on some cool projects. Thanks for sharing, Maryam.