Alisha Kasam, BSME ’13, filmed The Story of ME in the Spring of 2013. In the video, she speaks to the remarkable opportunities of which she took advantage while attending Georgia Tech and the Woodruff School. Nearly a year after filming and upon graduating in May 2013, Kasam has experienced great success. After watching the video above, the update below provides Kasam's insightful details of life after the Woodruff School.
ME: When did you graduate from Georgia Tech? What was that day like? How did you celebrate?
Kasam: I graduated from Georgia Tech in May 2013. Sitting with all of my friends in the ME section of graduates was bittersweet and almost surreal. I was so proud and excited to be there with all of them, but also sad that I would be leaving that family. In a way, we had all been celebrating for weeks, but walking across the stage, waving at my family and professors was the best part.
ME: How has the year since your graduation been? What have you been up to?
Kasam: Since graduating, I have remained active in research. I attended the International Building Simulation Conference in Chambéry, France to present my undergraduate research findings. I later submitted a journal article as first author and the manuscript was recently accepted for publication.
Since I received a 2013-2014 Fulbright Scholarship for a year of independent research in Munich, Germany, I decided not to join BMW in Greenville for now. Fortunately, I‘ve been able to maintain my connection with BMW during my Fulbright year by arranging a thermal modeling project with the Electrification R&D group in Munich.
Following my Fulbright year in Germany, I will spend a year in England. I have received a Churchill Scholarship to pursue an MPhil in Energy Technologies at Cambridge University.
ME: Have you continued to mentor Georgia Tech students and/or alumni? Will you pursue that more in the future?
Kasam: Through the Mentor Jackets program, I am mentoring a Chemical Engineering student via Skype and I have also advised several other Georgia Tech students about study and internships in Germany. I plan to continue these mentoring activities and pursue other types of involvement when I return to the U.S.
ME: Where was your most recent speaking engagement and what was the topic?
Kasam: Last June, I served on a panel discussion at the ASEE Conference in Atlanta. I joined other student panelists to answer questions about the pros and cons of internship and research involvement during undergraduate studies. As the only student panelist with both types of experience, I explained that the two are not mutually exclusive, and they in fact complement each other, regardless of whether they are in related areas.
ME: Do you have any plans to return to the Woodruff School for graduate studies? If so, when?
Kasam: The Woodruff School is definitely on my short list for PhD studies, which I will pursue in 2015 after completing my MPhil at Cambridge University.
ME: What's next? What are your goals for the next 5-10 years?
Kasam: After finishing my PhD, I’d like to expand my international experience by working abroad in industry or as a postdoctoral researcher for a short time. After that, I hope to return to academic research as a professor so that I can pursue the research that matters to me while continuing to have an impact in the lives of young engineers.
ME: Ultimately, how has your life been impacted by attending the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech for your undergraduate degree?
Kasam: The Woodruff School’s reputation among industry recruiters and diverse extra-curricular opportunities enabled me to gain valuable experience that gave me an edge in applying for jobs and fellowships. My research and co-op work also helped to guide and confirm my interests.
I am still amazed that in spite of Georgia Tech’s size, I have developed so many meaningful relationships with professors and advisors. Without their support and encouragement, I would not have challenged myself as much as I did. I believe all students deserve mentors like this, which is why I am so interested in mentoring initiatives.
ME: What advice can you give to prospective students contemplating joining the Woodruff School in the Fall of 2014?
Kasam: The Woodruff School offers something for everyone, but opportunities aren’t going to fall into your lap. Join a club, do a project at the Invention Studio, attend a career fair, or find a research assistantship. What you get out of your degree here depends entirely on what you put in!