The Engineering Student Experience Podcast

Episode 16 - Being an engineering student in the time of COVID-19 (Part II)

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? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

Episode edited by Paul Nissenson. Recorded on May 22, 2020 via Zoom.

Episode 15 - Being an engineering instructor in the time of COVID-19 (Part II)

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 the university suddenly shifted to remote instruction, check out Episode 12.

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

Episode edited by Paul Nissenson. Recorded on May 22, 2020 via Zoom.

Episode 14 - What's it like to be a freshman engineering student?

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 ahead to see how their opinions and interests evolve over time.

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

Soundboard run by Gerardo Maldonado. Episode edited by Paul Nissenson. This episode was recorded on November 20, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

Episode 13 - Engineering in the music industry

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 mechanical engineering with a minor in Music. Congrats Gerardo!

Purchase Isaac’s latest album: Because Patterns

Isaac's website: http://isaacschankler.com/ 

Isaac mentioned the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition held at Georgia Tech every year.

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

Soundboard run by Gerardo Maldonado. Episode edited by Paul Nissenson. This episode was recorded on November 19, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

Episode 12 - Being an engineering instructor in the time of COVID-19

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 Jessica was a guest in Episode 10 ("What's it like to be a first-generation engineering undergraduate student?").

Although Paul, Nolan, and Jessica have many positive comments about the conferencing software Zoom, the company isn't a sponsor... yet (hint, hint Zoom).

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 the audio quality... we didn't have access to our normal recording equipment. 

This episode was recorded on March 25, 2020.

Episode 11 - Being an engineering student in the time of COVID-19

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 the audio quality... we didn't have access to our normal recording equipment. 

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2020.

Episode 10 - What's it like to be a first-generation engineering undergraduate student?

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 mentioned a NY Times article from Nov 3, 2017: Are You First Gen? Depends on Who’s Asking

Ruby mentioned how she benefited from AVID in high school and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in college.

Javier mentioned Cal Poly Pomona’s Maximizing Engineering Potential Program (MEP) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

Soundboard run by Gerardo Maldonado. Episode edited by Paul Nissenson.

This episode was recorded on November 20, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

 

Episode 09 - What is Aerospace Engineering?

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 Department's website: https://www.cpp.edu/engineering/aro/index.shtml

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

Gerardo Maldonado ran the soundboard. Paul edited the episode.

Recorded on October 15, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

Episode 08 - How is a typical university structured?

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 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 the Academy allows high school students in grades 9-12 to connect with students across the community and institutions, to collaborate with CPP and its industrial partners, and to create knowledge and content through team-based, hands-on projects and online courseware. Students in the academy are exposed to today’s cutting-edge technology and its social impact, learn about leading theories on diverse perspectives and inclusion, experience design thinking and creation first-hand, and practice essential skills necessary for the modern-day work environment such as team science, presentation and web-based communication."

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

This episode was recorded on October 24, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona. 

Episode 07 - What are the differences between colleges and universities?

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 the Academy allows high school students in grades 9-12 to connect with students across the community and institutions, to collaborate with CPP and its industrial partners, and to create knowledge and content through team-based, hands-on projects and online courseware. Students in the academy are exposed to today’s cutting-edge technology and its social impact, learn about leading theories on diverse perspectives and inclusion, experience design thinking and creation first-hand, and practice essential skills necessary for the modern-day work environment such as team science, presentation and web-based communication."

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.

This episode was recorded on October 24, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.