Careers for Engineers

Dr. Michael Sherburne & The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Hey Hokies! Today we're chatting with veteran Dr. Michael Sherburne, RF (radio frequency) and Microwave Design Engineer at the The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory [https://www.jhuapl.edu/]. His extensive education in electrical engineering includes * a bachelor's from Virginia Tech [https://ece.vt.edu/]; * a master's from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technolog [https://www.linkedin.com/school/air-force-institute-of-technology/]y; and * a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico [https://www.linkedin.com/school/unmengineering/]. In this episode, Megan and Niki talk colloidal quantum dots (!), the interdisciplinary nature of electrical engineering, and being an inventor in the United States Air Force. Fun fact: Michael was the College of Engineering's 2018 Outstanding Senior! [https://liberalarts.vt.edu/news/articles/2018/05/michael-sherburne-named-outstanding-senior-for-engineering.html] Get your burning electrical engineering questions answered by Michael at LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-79265552/].

Dr. André Stevenson, Jr. & WL Gore

Hey Hokies! Let's get research-ical with today's guest, Dr. André Stevenson, Jr., a secondary market research analyst for W.L. Gore & Associates [https://www.gore.com/]. André has a master’s of engineering and Ph.D. both in materials science and engineering [https://mse.vt.edu/] from Virginia Tech, and has a significant background in biomedical engineering, bio-nanotechnology and materials science and engineering. In this episode, our hosts Niki and Megan chat engineering in and out of the lab; how undergraduate research can teach you how to think, rather than what to think; and that one Google search can charge the entire course of your life. André's best advice? Don't let your major or engineering discipline limit your thinking! Go big, and go for it! Oh, and shoutout to André's Virginia Tech advisor, Abby Whittington [https://che.vt.edu/People/faculty/Whittington.html]! Connect with André on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andr%C3%A9-stevenson-jr-phd-4aa06415/], or via email [andre.t.stevenson@gmail.com].

Molly Boal & SGA Technologies Limited

Hey Hokie! Experience global engineering with today's guest: Molly Boal, an Engineering and Technical Manager at SGA Technologies Limited [https://www.sgatech.co.uk/] in the United Kingdom. Molly has her bachelor’s in chemical engineering [https://che.vt.edu/] from Virginia Tech, participated in study abroad at the Technical University of Denmark and conducted undergraduate research for microfluidic electroporation for gene and cell delivery (say that 10 times fast). In this episode, our hosts Megan and Niki chat finding your niche in an engineering field; studying abroad in Denmark (Så spændende!); and the value of participating in a year-long co-op. After Molly's co-op experience, she achieved a 4.0 in her classes, sOoO we think the co-op idea is selling itself. Connect with Molly via LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollyjboal/]!

Megan Bennett & Platform Aerospace

Hey Hokies! It's a double-trouble episode with an additional Megan: Megan Bennett (aka Megan B.), an advanced electrical engineer (II) at Platform Aerospace [https://platformaerospace.com/]. Megan B. works on the world record-breaking Vanilla Unmanned aircraft and has her BS in Electrical Engineering with a focus on controls, robotics and autonomy from Virginia Tech. She also received the Electrical & Computer Engineering Outstanding Leadership Award (oOOoo)! In this episode, our intrepid hosts, Megan and Niki, talk un-crewed aircraft (which isn't something they ever thought they would do); getting a job after graduating literally during the height of #pandemic; and spend most of the episode being in awe of how cool Megan B. is. Our favorite words of wisdom from Megan B.? "There is a place for you." Connect with Megan B. via email at mib@vt.edu [mib@vt.edu]. Don't forget to mention you heard her on the podcast!

Maria Bothwell & Toffler Associates

Hey Hokies! You know how you're always trying to avoid thinking about the #future because it's literally the worst thought? Don't worry - Maria Bothwell, CEO of Toffler Associates [https://www.tofflerassociates.com/] has got you covered. It's her actual day job. Maria has her BS in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research (now Industrial & Systems Engineering) and an MBA both from Virginia Tech, and a snazzy certificate de Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu-Paris (yes, Paris). In this episode, Megan and Niki get the scoop on the very cool world of future predictions, consulting work as an engineer, and try to pry some top secret culinary techniques from Maria. Oh, and we're reminded just much work is left to be done for women in engineering. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabothwell/].