The Engineering Student Experience Podcast

In this episode, Paul explores a critically important (but underappreciated) component of our economy -- large warehouses -- by interviewing Mark Wry, who is a Senior Engineering Manager at Under Armour. Mark has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and M.S. in Systems Engineering, both from Cal Poly Pomona. Mark describes what it's like to be an engineer in a large warehouse, the various types of job...

In this episode, Paul explores the themed entertainment industry by interviewing Andrew Skowron and Jego Santos Fonseca, both of whom work at Universal Studios Hollywood (Andrew as a Rides Manager and Jego as a Quality Engineer). Andrew and Jego describe what the themed entertainment industry is all about including how various types of engineers participate in the industry, how the coronavirus pan...

In this episode, Paul catches up with Monica and Jared who are now in their second year of college. Monica and Jared were interviewed as freshmen back in Episode 14 . They are joined by Dr. Jessica Perez (Electromechanical Engineering Technology Department, Cal Poly Pomona) who frequently teaches a first year engineering experience course. Monica and Jared share how they’ve changed as engineering...

In this episode, Paul provides an overview of graduate ("grad") school. He covers how to apply to grad school, the differences between obtaining a Master's degree and a Ph. D., who should consider applying to grad school, factors to consider when selecting a university, and finding a faculty advisor. Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to  TESEpodcast@gmail.com  and Paul will pers...

In this episode, Paul interviews Dr. Phyllis Nelson and Dr. Anas Salah Eddin, both of whom are faculty members in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at Cal Poly Pomona. We discuss the sub-disciplines within electrical engineering, career paths available to electrical engineers, and various tips for electrical engineering students. We also touch upon the differences between electrical...

In this episode, Paul revisits with two engineering students, Hooman Kasraei and Robert Freeman, who reflect upon the past couple months of adjusting to life during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. If you want to hear their initial thoughts from a couple months earlier when the university suddenly shifted to remote instruction, check out  Episode 11 . Have comments about this episode?...

In this episode, Paul revisits with two Cal Poly Pomona colleagues, Dr. Nolan Tsuchiya (Mechanical Engineering Department) and Dr. Jessica Perez (Electromechanical Engineering Technology Department), who reflect upon the challenges of adjusting to teaching (and life) during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. If you want to hear their initial thoughts from a couple months earlier when th...

In this episode, Paul interviews two freshman engineering students (Jared Changizian and Monica Felix) about their experiences during their first semester in college. They are joined by Dr. Jessica Perez (Electromechanical Engineering Technology Department, Cal Poly Pomona) who frequently teaches a first year engineering experience course. We hope to follow-up with Jared and Monica in the years ah...

In this episode, Paul interviews Dr. Isaac Schankler (Music Department, Cal Poly Pomona) and Gerardo Maldonado (undergraduate mechanical engineering student, Cal Poly Pomona), who discuss opportunities for engineers in the music industry and how engineering students can merge their love for music with their love for engineering. Shortly after recording this episode, Gerardo received his B.S. in me...

In this special episode, Paul interviews two engineering faculty members from Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Nolan Tsuchiya (Mechanical Engineering) and Dr. Jessica Perez (Electromechanical Engineering Technology), who discuss what it's been like to make the sudden transition to online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nolan also was a guest in Episode 4 ( "What is Mechanical Engineering?" ) and Jes...

In this special episode, Paul interviews two undergraduate engineering students (Hooman Kasraei and Robert Freeman) who discuss what it's been like to make the sudden transition to online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email. Episode edited by Paul Nissenson. Please excuse th...

In this episode, Paul interviews two current first-generation college students (Ruby Valdez and Javier Ruedas) about their experiences in engineering programs. They are joined by Dr. Jessica Perez, who is a faculty member in the Electromechanical Engineering Technology Department at Cal Poly Pomona with extensive experience examining issues related to first-generation college students. Paul mentio...

In this episode, Paul interviews two aerospace engineering faculty members at Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Don Edberg and Dr. Todd Coburn. Drs. Edberg and Coburn discuss the field of aerospace engineering, career paths available to aerospace engineers, and tips for aerospace engineering students. For more information about aerospace engineering, check out the Cal Poly Pomona Aerospace Engineering Departme...

In this episode, Paul explains how a typical university is structured. This information can help new students acclimate to university life quicker. Here are the organization charts of Cal Poly Pomona to give you a better idea of how a typical institution is organized:  https://www.cpp.edu/president/pdfs/oop_20200701.pdf   Paul discussed the CPP Polytechnic STEAM Academy in the episode. Here is the...

In this episode, Paul explains the major differences between colleges and universities.  Paul discussed the CPP Polytechnic STEAM Academy in the episode. Here is the program's mission statement: "The mission of CPP’s Polytechnic STEAM Academy is to provide a 'Brand-You' transformative educational experience for high school student students through technology-focused team projects. Participation in...

In this episode, Paul explains the various titles and ranks your instructor may have, and how to properly address your instructor. Paul discussed the CPP Polytechnic STEAM Academy in the episode. Here is the program's mission statement: "The mission of CPP’s Polytechnic STEAM Academy is to provide a 'Brand-You' transformative educational experience for high school student students through technolo...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two senior-level engineering students at Cal Poly Pomona -- Cesar Moreno and Noemi Guerrero. Cesar and Noemi describe what it is like to be an engineering student on the cusp of graduation, the challenges and rewards of being an engineering student, and tips for new or aspiring engineering students. Both...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two Mechanical Engineering faculty members at Cal Poly Pomona -- Dr. Mehrdad Haghi and Dr. Nolan Tsuchiya. Dr. Haghi and Dr. Tsuchiya discuss the field of Mechanical Engineering, career paths available to Mechanical Engineers, and tips for Mechanical Engineering students. For more information about Mecha...

In this episode, Professor Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two engineering faculty members: Professor Mariappan "Jawa" Jawaharlal (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) and Professor Gerald Herder (Electromechanical Engineering Technology Dept., Cal Poly Pomona). Professors Jawa and Herder describe their experiences teaching engineering courses fo...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two Civil Engineering faculty members at Cal Poly Pomona -- Dr. Felipe Perez and Dr. Kenneth Lamb. Dr. Perez and Dr. Lamb discuss the field of Civil Engineering, career paths available to Civil Engineers, and tips for Civil Engineering students. For more information about Civil Engineering, check out the...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two early career engineers, Matt DeSalvio and Don Logsdon, who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona four years prior to the interview. Matt and Don describe their experiences in industry and provide tips to engineering students who are about to enter the workforce. During the interview, Matt and Paul discuss t...