PODCAST · education
The Engineering Student Experience Podcast
by Paul Nissenson
This podcast explores topics relevant to current and future engineering students through conversations with practicing engineers, engineering faculty, and engineering students.
Episodes
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Episode 46 - A semester as an engineering student (Week 7)
In this episode, Paul continues his semester-long journey following two engineering students (Michael Frial and Michael Espinoza) throughout the Fall 2026 semester at Cal Poly Pomona. During the interview, both students share their workload and state of mind in Week 7 of the semester. Paul will...
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Episode 45 - A semester as an engineering student (Week 5)
In this episode, Paul continues his semester-long journey following two engineering students (Michael Frial and Michael Espinoza) throughout the Fall 2026 semester at Cal Poly Pomona. During the interview, both students share their workload and state of mind in Week 5 of the semester. Paul will...
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Episode 44 - A semester as an engineering student (Week 3)
In this episode, Paul continues his semester-long journey following two engineering students (Michael Frial and Michael Espinoza) throughout the Fall 2026 semester at Cal Poly Pomona. During the interview, both students share their workload and state of mind in Week 3 of the semester. Paul will...
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Episode 43 - A semester as an engineering student (Week 1)
Have you ever wondered what a semester is really like for engineering students? In this episode, Paul begins a semester-long journey where he follows two engineering students (Michael Frial and Michael Espinoza) throughout the Fall 2026 semester at Cal Poly Pomona. During the interview, both...
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Episode 42 - What is a Provost?
Note: This episode was released about a week before it was announced that Dr. Gomez was appointed President of Cal State University San Bernadino. We wish her luck in her new role. In this episode, Paul tries to demystify the role of "Provost" of a university by interviewing the Provost & VP of...
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Episode 41 - What is Materials Engineering?
In this episode, Paul explores the field of materials engineering by interviewing two faculty members in the Chemical & Materials Engineering Department at Cal Poly Pomona. Dr. Vilupanur Ravi is a Professor specializing in advanced materials, coatings, and corrosion, and Dr. Jonathan Puthoff is a...
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Episode 40 - Engineers at an energy company
In this episode, Paul learns what it's like to work at an energy company with Justin Valencia and Brittany Williams, both of whom work for Chevron at their refinery in El Segundo, CA. Justin has a background in mechanical engineering, and is the Technology & Innovation Manager for Downstream,...
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Episode 39 - What is Industrial Engineering?
In this episode, Paul explores the field of industrial engineering by interviewing two faculty members in the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department at Cal Poly Pomona. Dr. Shokoufeh Mirzaei is Professor and Chair of the department, specializing in applied optimization and artificial...
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Episode 38 - What is an engineering technology program?
In this episode, Paul explores the field of engineering technology by interviewing two faculty members in the Electromechanical Engineering Technology Department at Cal Poly Pomona. Dr. Farhana Abedin is an Associate Professor and Chair of the department, specializing in structural mechanics and...
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Episode 37 - Exit interview with Jared
In this episode, Paul interviews Jared Changizian right when he graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. You can listen to Jared as a freshman in episode 14, as a sophomore in episode 19, and about 1.5 years before he graduated in episode 31. Paul and...
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Episode 36 - What is a Dean?
In this episode, Paul tries to demystify the role of "Dean" of a college by interviewing the Dean of the College of Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Andrew Ketsdever. During the conversation, Andrew describes the responsibilities of a Dean, shares his experiences of being a Dean, and explains...
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Episode 35 - What is a department chair?
In this episode, Paul tries to demystify the important, but often misunderstood, position of "department chair" by interviewing Dr. Berit Givens (Dept of Mathematics and Statistics) and Dr. Shokoufeh Mirzaei (Dept of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering), both of whom are department chairs at...
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Episode 34 - What is professional licensure?
In this episode, Paul interviews Davy McDowell, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). During the conversation, Davy provides an overview of the process engineers go through to become professionally licensed. He also…
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Episode 33 - What is Manufacturing Engineering?
In this episode, Paul interviews Dr. Victor Okhuysen who is a Professor in the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department at Cal Poly Pomona. During the conversation, Dr. Okhuysen provides an overview of the field of manufacturing engineering. He compares manufacturing engineering with…
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Episode 32 - What’s it like to be a veteran and an engineering student?
In this episode, Paul interviews two Cal Poly Pomona engineering students, Elizabeth Sanchez (industrial engineering) and Esteban Alderete (aerospace engineering), who also are US Marine Corps veterans. During the interview, Elizabeth and Esteban share their experiences of active-duty service,...
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Episode 31 - What’s it like to have to repeat a course?
In this episode, Paul interviews two Cal Poly Pomona engineering students, Jared Changizian (mechanical engineering) and Michael Youssef (electrical engineering), who discuss a very common experience for engineering students -- having to repeat a course due to receiving a low grade. During the...
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Episode 30 - What is ABET?
In this episode, Paul provides an overview of ABET, which is the agency responsible for accrediting engineering programs. He discusses why accreditation is important for students and what an engineering program must do to receive accreditation. During the episode, Paul mentions that all of his...
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Episode 29 - Engineering in the Air Pollution Control Industry
In this episode, Paul explores the field of air pollution control (or air pollution abatement) with Anoosheh Oskouian and John Von Bargen from Ship & Shore Environmental, a company based in Signal Hill, CA that specializes in designing and constructing air pollution abatement systems. Anoosheh is...
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Episode 28 - What’s it like to start a start-up?
In this episode, Paul talks with Isabel Gutierrez to learn what it's like to create and grow a company. Isabel is the CEO and founder of Vistendo, and earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona in 2019. Vistendo is a company dedicated to ending the suffering related to untreated...
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Episode 27 - What’s it like to be an older engineering student?
In this episode, Paul interviews two Cal Poly Pomona engineering students, Eric Belcastro (civil engineering) and John Hartman (electrical engineering), who started pursuing an engineering degrees later in life. Eric and John talk about their transition back to school, and describe their…
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Episode 26 - Engineering in the Food Retailing Industry
In this episode, Paul explores the food retailing industry by interviewing Diego Wood and Michael Gillett, who work for the Hussmann Corporation. Hussmann designs, builds, and maintains display cases in many supermarkets, convenience stores, and other places that sell temperature-controlled food...
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Episode 25 - Engineering at an Air Quality Agency
In this episode, Paul explores what it's like to be an engineer at an air quality agency by interviewing Dr. Simin Mehrabani, who works at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). The South Coast AQMD is a government agency responsible for improving the air quality for over 15...
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Episode 24 - Engineers at an Electric Utility Agency
In this episode, Paul explores what it's like to be an engineer at an electric utility agency by interviewing Everett Aragon and Moein Lak, both of whom work at the Southern California Edison. SoCal Edison is a large electric utility transmitting and distributing power throughout much of Southern...
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Episode 23 - What‘s it like to be an engineering transfer student?
In this episode, Paul interviews Andrew Diamond and Jonny Yi, both of whom are aerospace engineering students (and amateur podcasters) at Cal Poly Pomona. Andrew and Jonny transferred to Cal Poly Pomona from a community college back in Fall 2019. In the interview, Andrew and Jonny discuss why…
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Episode 22 - Engineers at a Water Utility Agency
In this episode, Paul explores what it's like to be an engineer at a water utility agency by interviewing Steve Johnson and Gerardo Maldonado, both of whom work at the Desert Water Agency (DWA). The DWA is responsible for importing water and managing groundwater in the Palm Spring and Cathedral...
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Episode 21 - Engineering in Large Warehouses
In this episode, Paul explores a critically important (but underappreciated) component of our economy -- large warehouses -- by interviewing Mark Wry, who is a Senior Engineering Manager at Under Armour. Mark has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and M.S. in Systems Engineering, both from Cal Poly...
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Episode 20 - Engineers in the Themed Entertainment Industry
In this episode, Paul explores the themed entertainment industry by interviewing Andrew Skowron and Jego Santos Fonseca, both of whom work at Universal Studios Hollywood (Andrew as a Rides Manager and Jego as a Quality Engineer). Andrew and Jego describe what the themed entertainment industry is...
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Episode 19 - Catching up with Monica and Jared (Year 2)
In this episode, Paul catches up with Monica and Jared who are now in their second year of college. Monica and Jared were interviewed as freshmen back in Episode 14. They are joined by Dr. Jessica Perez (Electromechanical Engineering Technology Department, Cal Poly Pomona) who frequently teaches…
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Episode 18 - What is graduate school?
In this episode, Paul provides an overview of graduate ("grad") school. He covers how to apply to grad school, the differences between obtaining a Master's degree and a Ph.D., who should consider applying to grad school, factors to consider when selecting a university, and finding a faculty...
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Episode 17 - What is Electrical Engineering?
In this episode, Paul interviews Dr. Phyllis Nelson and Dr. Anas Salah Eddin, both of whom are faculty members in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at Cal Poly Pomona. We discuss the sub-disciplines within electrical engineering, career paths available to electrical engineers, and...
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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:...
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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...
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Episode 06 - Understanding your instructors' titles and ranks
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…
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Episode 05 - What's it like to be a senior engineering student?
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…
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Episode 04 - What is Mechanical Engineering?
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…
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Episode 03 - What's it like to be an engineering instructor?
In this episode, Professor Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two engineering faculty members: Professor Mariappan "Jawa" Jawaharlal (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) and Professor Gerald Herder (Electromechanical Engineering Technology Dept.,...
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Episode 02 - What is Civil Engineering?
In this episode, Dr. Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two Civil Engineering faculty members at Cal Poly Pomona -- Dr. Felipe Perez and Dr. Kenneth Lamb. Dr. Perez and Dr. Lamb discuss the field of Civil Engineering, career paths available to Civil…
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Episode 01 - What's it like to be an early career engineer?
In this episode, Dr. Paul Nissenson (Mechanical Engineering Dept., Cal Poly Pomona) interviews two early career engineers, Matt DeSalvio and Don Logsdon, who graduated from Cal Poly Pomona four years prior to the interview. Matt and Don describe their experiences in industry and provide tips to...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast explores topics relevant to current and future engineering students through conversations with practicing engineers, engineering faculty, and engineering students.
HOSTED BY
Paul Nissenson
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Engineering Student Experience Podcast have?
The Engineering Student Experience Podcast currently has 46 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Engineering Student Experience Podcast about?
This podcast explores topics relevant to current and future engineering students through conversations with practicing engineers, engineering faculty, and engineering students.
How often does The Engineering Student Experience Podcast release new episodes?
The Engineering Student Experience Podcast has 46 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Engineering Student Experience Podcast?
You can listen to The Engineering Student Experience Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Engineering Student Experience Podcast?
The Engineering Student Experience Podcast is created and hosted by Paul Nissenson.
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