STEPHEN SECHLER ’15 EE George J. Mitchell Scholars, Dublin, Ireland Sechler graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a master’s degree in Bioengineering with a focus in Neural Engineering. He completed a research-based thesis project on alternative methods to measure sound localization abilities for individuals with bilateral cochlear implants. Most valuable lesson learned: How to be comfortable with uncertainty! Impact on career path: My time as a Mitchell Scholar thoroughly impacted my career path, though not at all in the way I expected. While applying for bioengineering opportunities in both Ireland and the US, I submitted my resume to an actuarial development program at Cigna. I was invited to interview for the job despite not having any actuarial background or experience, and eventually was offered a position. My first role was in international health insurance, and I later learned that my experience as a Mitchell Scholar was a key factor in being offered the initial interview. How Villanova prepared me for this experience: Villanova’s Electrical Engineering
program enabled me to succeed with the technical aspects of my thesis research during my Mitchell year. Though I no longer work directly in an engineering role, the skills I honed during my time in the College of Engineering prepared me for success in a dynamic and challenging industry. I learned how to collaborate, and I rely on my written and verbal communication abilities and problem-solving skills on a daily basis.
PAYAL SHAH ’17 CHE Fulbright-Nehru Teaching Assistantship in India Shah taught English to middle school students and took part in STEM outreach activities in India. Most valuable lesson learned: The world is bigger than just America, the variety of cultures around the world are incredibly interesting, and I was so lucky to explore such a different part of the world at 21 years old. Impact on career path: While today I am a battery engineer for Lockheed Martin, seeing and personally experiencing (with dengue fever) the condition of India’s health care system made me
interested in improving health care in emerging and developing countries, as well as improving women’s health around the world. How Villanova prepared me for this experience: Villanova taught me to be
adaptable, independent and open-minded—all things that were extremely valuable abroad. The value of a Fulbright: People value and admire what it takes to be awarded a prestigious grant and leaving your comfort zone for the experience. In interviews, I’m immediately asked about the Fulbright grant and my experiences.
BRENT STUDENROTH ’18 ME NSF-PIRE, Grenoble, France Through the University of Pennsylvania’s REACT program (Research and Education in Active Coatings Technologies), Studenroth took part in the International Internship Programme at GIANT (Grenoble Innovation for Advanced New Technologies). There he was tasked with trying to improve the distinction between nanowire layers, studying how they interacted with water and developing their hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties to potentially provide water for people who live in extremely arid regions. Most valuable lesson learned:
Flexibility. Learning how to study and live in a completely new environment was incredibly rewarding. I had to become extremely adaptive to new situations in order to be successful. Impact on career path: It made me open to opportunities outside my comfort zone. Today I’m working in research and development within the construction industry, and I find a lot of parallels between my current work and my work in France. How Villanova prepared me for this experience: Villanova gave me the confidence
to work independently and to effectively communicate my results. I credit Formula SAE (NovaRacing) for providing experience in solving real-world problems under practical constraints.
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS FOR VILLANOVA ENGINEERS SINCE 2010
10
Fulbright
3
DAAD-RISE
3
NSF-PIRE
2
Critical Language Scholarship
2
Gilman
1
Gates Cambridge
1
Mitchell
1
Boren
