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Episodes
This podcast explores topics relevant to current and future engineering students through conversations with practicing engineers, engineering faculty, and engineering students.
Episodes

May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020
43 min
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.

Mar 30, 2020
Mar 30, 2020
57 min
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.

Mar 27, 2020
Mar 27, 2020
34 min
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.

Mar 2, 2020
Mar 2, 2020
53 min
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.

Jan 20, 2020
Jan 20, 2020
49 min
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.

Dec 2, 2019
Dec 2, 2019
11 min
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.

Nov 3, 2019
Nov 3, 2019
10 min
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.

Sep 18, 2019
Sep 18, 2019
21 min
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 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 September 5, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

Aug 14, 2019
Aug 14, 2019
1 hr 47 sec
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 Cesar and Noemi graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering in June 2018.
Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.
Thanks to Cesar Moreno for helping record and edit this episode, and Cal Poly Pomona for providing funding for this pilot project.
This episode was recorded on February 26, 2018 at Cal Poly Pomona.

Jul 31, 2019
Jul 31, 2019
27 min
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 Mechanical Engineering, check out the Cal Poly Pomona Mechanical Engineering website: https://www.cpp.edu/~engineering/ME/
Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to TESEpodcast@gmail.com and Paul will personally read your email.
Thanks to Cesar Moreno for helping record and edit this episode, and Cal Poly Pomona for providing funding for this pilot project.
This episode was recorded on May 31, 2018 at Cal Poly Pomona.