This Engineering Life: Recent Episodes
This Engineering Life
A podcast taking an inquisitive look at the lives of engineering undergraduates in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. Through interviews with students and also experts in the field, we explore a diverse range of topics from tenting to internships to diversity and more.
Our hope is to connect students, as well as provide insights, resources, and advice from peers and experts.
Thinking about grad school? There might be a faster track than you think. In this episode, we sit down with the Director of Master's Programs Admissions to unpack everything you need to know about Duke's 4+1 program. Discover how the program works, who's eligible, what makes it such a smart move for ambitious students, and how you can set yourself up to apply. Whether you're a freshman exploring your options or a junior ready to make your next move, this conversation is packed with insights that could shape your academic journey. Don't miss it!
In this episode, we sit down with undergraduate engineers Grace and Anna as they share their study abroad experiences, insights, and lessons learned along the way.
Welcome back to Season 13 of This Engineering Life! Join us as we kick off the season with a discussion of the hard science fiction novel Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, featuring guest alumni of This Engineering Life!
In this episode, it's all about books! Tune in as we hear from our senior producer Becky Simmons and amazing host Polina Epshtein!
Tune in to this episode as we continue on with the theme of growth and developing engineering design skills. You'll get to hear from the manager of the POD, a first-year design space, and also get a rare inside perspective from a civil engineering undergraduate.
In this episode we discuss mental and physical wellness from the perspective of the director of Duke's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Pratt upperclassmen.
In this episode we spotlight current undergraduates who have made big pivots in their academic lives! So join us as we dive deeper into the academic journey of these Pratt stars!
Welcome back to Season 12 of This Engineering Life! Join us as we talk about our summer experiences and what we look forward to this upcoming year!
We’re wrapping up Season 11 of This Engineering Life by talking to some incredible Duke engineering seniors! Tune in as they reflect on their final semesters, overall Duke experiences, and share what’s next for them after graduation.
In this episode, we explore what it’s like to be an international student at Duke. You'll hear firsthand experiences from current undergraduates, along with insights from the Duke International Student Center (DISC), which supports students as they navigate life on campus.
In this episode, we're talking all about hope! Tune in as some incredible upperclassmen share what hope means to them and how they find it in their engineering careers.
In this episode we spotlight some of Duke's summer +Programs! Listen to student and program director perspectives on the immersive, experiential learning opportunities on campus emphasizing research, collaboration, and problem solving that many engineering students engage with in the summer!
Welcome to Season 11 of This Engineering Life! In this episode, we welcome back some of our wonderful TEL alumni to discuss Malcolm Gladwell's "Revenge of the Tipping Point." Listen in as catch up, reflect, and explore the power of social engineering in shaping the world around us!
In this episode we take a deep dive into what career development is at Duke! Hear from fellow peers and Dr. Libby and learn more about what you can do to advance your career.
Join us as we dive into the inspiring stories and impactful initiatives of the Society of Women Engineers at Duke University. From breaking barriers in STEM to building a supportive community, this episode explores how these women are shaping the future of engineering and empowering the next generation of innovators!
In Episode 3 of This Engineering Life, we explore the resources that make up the Duke Difference in navigating your career journey. From networking and internships to skill-building and mentorship, discover insights from career center advisors and real-world experiences that will help you succeed as a Blue Devils!
All colleges have their own unique way of welcoming each generation of bright and talented students to their school. At Duke, we have over 20 different ways of welcoming our students through experimental orientation. Join us as we talk about the different ways our unique orientation programs guide students to being sucessful first years at Duke!
We are kicking things off strong with summer recaps and exciting adventures! Join us as we talk about our Pratt summer experiences and listen in for some top-secret study spots at Duke University!
That's a wrap on Season 9! For our final episode of the season, hear from out very own senior cohosts: Reyna Vrbensky and Jack Dugoni. They detail their experiences and lessons learned over the past four years as well as interview their peers across all Engineering disciplines. Truly a special episode.
For this season's spotlight episode, we are joined by Professor and renowned artist: Stephen Hayes. As a Durham native, Stephen has definitely left his mark on this town - and we are all better off for it. Join as as we discuss his artistic career, making an impact with art, and the intersection of art and engineering.
Thinking about transferring between Pratt and Trinity? Wondering how to make such a major decision? Tune in for an exclusive interview with Dr. Benjamin Cooke, Assistant Dean of Advising here at Duke. Also hear from two incredible Duke students who have gone through the transfer process themselves!
Duke University has two colleges: Pratt College of Engineering and Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. Join us for a special episode on Engineers who do both and let us know; can the two schools be friends?
Ever wondered what entices Duke students to live in a tent for 10 weeks? Curious as to how that works with 8 engineers in one tent? Learn all about this long standing Duke tradition as we gear up for the highly anticipated Duke vs. UNC men's basketball showdown!
Join us to explore a Duke club spotlight on Enable, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals through custom 3D-printed prosthetics!
Starting season 9 with the right mindset, our hosts hit the ground running by discussing the book, Atomic Habits! In this episode, learn our greatest takeaways and how students can best practice good habits.
Welcome to the season finale as we welcome a very special guest: Steven McClelland! Known for his I&E spirit with several start-up ventures of his own, if you are interested in I&E, startups, or anything in between, this episode is for you. Stay tuned!
Join our newest Pratt All-Star Jack and his amazing peers at Duke Outdoor Adventures where they dive into all sorts of different kinds of recreation outside of Duke. From preorientation projects to week-long backpacking trips, adventure is out there!
As college students, it's very hard to maintain a good work-life balance, and being thrown into the depths of Pratt Engineering doesn't help! Fear not, in this episode we explore all the classroom tips and tricks you could possibly need. Come join us as we learn more about the resources available at Duke for academic preparations!
Welcome to Season 8 of ThisEngineeringLife! We are all so excited to jump into this season and explore what opportunities we Pratt stars have at Duke. Come join in on our first episode as the hosts talk about their summer recaps!
As we wrap up this season, we talk with our beloved seniors who know a thing or two about their engineering lives! Listen in as they give personal advice on everything Duke and reflect on their time before graduating.
In this episode, we welcome Dr. Kyle and talk about his experience this year as a new professor in Biomedical Engineering! From BME senior design to his motivation to come to Duke, come join us as we learn about what our special guest is up to!
The concept of robotics is both a wide and interdisciplinary field that continues to bridge the connection between humans and machines. Explore different aspects of robotics at Duke and how you can learn more!
In this episode of Season 7, we talk with different engineers in greek life and SLGs (selective living groups)!
Welcome back to season 7 of ThisEngineeringLife! To start off this season, we discuss what the hosts have been up to over winter break and talk about the book, "When" by Daniel H. Pink. Join us as we explore how timing is essential to an engineer's life at Duke and some interesting perspectives and habits on time management.
In this episode, we dive into the Duke difference when it comes to school spirit! From club sports to tenting season, explore how students get their game on beyond academics and how engineers balance the signature work hard, play hard atmosphere on campus. Listen to learn more about Duke traditions, fond memories, and experiences all year round!
In this episode, we talk with our special guest, Jennifer Ganley, Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs! From the emails you see in your inbox to student engineering clubs to blue devil days, she truly is at the center of engineering life on campus. Join us as we talk about different initiatives for aspiring students, incoming students, and current students looking to explore more of what Pratt Engineering has to offer at duke!
In this episode, we gain insight into a couple of unique summer experiences from different students. From studying abroad to building a bridge, there is something for everyone in the summer! These opportunities range from two weeks to the entire summer from research at Duke to countries abroad. Come learn about different engineering summer opportunities and how you can join these programs.
In this episode, we explore the different fields of internships and unique student perspectives on their experiences. Where do students find all of these internships? How do you make yourself a competitive applicant? How can Duke help you find the right job? From navigating internships, exploring Duke resources, and hearing student experiences, come join us as we look at the different ways students get a head start on their careers!
In this episode, we explore how ethics plays a role in our choices throughout our engineering careers. We all know the consequences when engineers decide to take shortcuts, but how does compromising ethics impact the quality of education and how has this trend differed in recent years? From ethics classes at Duke to general trends regarding ethics in engineering classes, join us as we explore how ethics surrounds our everyday choices in engineering!
In our first full episode of this new season, we explore how QuadEx impacts the lives of students both socially and academically. From undergraduate students to professors, each interview brings a unique take on different aspects of QuadEx and the steps Duke is taking to ensure this is a transformative experience for everyone. We hope this provides some insight as we all transition through this change together!
Welcome back to season 6! In our first episode of this new season, the whole This Engineering Life team (including our new editor Richard) join together in person once again to discuss our summers, our outlook on a new academic year, and our plans for the future. We hope this episode is a short but fun dive into all we’re excited about in the next few months. Thanks for joining us!
Welcome to S5E04 - Senior Reflections! In our second-to-last episode of the season, we take our time interviewing a number of seniors who reflect on their cumulative Duke experiences. All of these engineers have something unique and important to say, and while they are only a small subset of the Pratt Class of 2022, we hope their voices will speak for everyone. We're so excited to see what all of these incredible students go on to accomplish in life! Thanks as always for listening :)
Welcome to S5E03 - Chip Bobbert & the CoLab! Today's episode features a spotlight interview with Dana (Chip) Bobbert, Senior Technologist and Innovation CoLab Architect. Chip has been responsible for much of Duke's investment in and creation of the Innovation CoLab that we know and love today. He possesses formal education in Instructional Design at the master’s level and over a decade of experience producing educational products. Listen in to hear more about Chip's incredible experiences and contributions during his time at Duke, and some of the wisdom he has gained along the way. We're wishing our best to Chip as he continues on to many new adventures!
Welcome to S5E02 - Study Abroad! Today's episode features a broad (haha, see what we did there) look at the study abroad experiences of Pratt Stars across all disciplines. From Madrid to Edinborough to Sydney to Copenhagen, we explore many of the experiences of Duke Engineers abroad. We hope you enjoy this deep dive into the success (and failures) of some incredible engineers!
[A disclaimer that many of these interviews actually took place back during Season 2 of This Engineering Life and, due to COVID, they have been pushed back until now. A huge shoutout to Elle and Becca for their work on these interviews.]
Welcome to S5E01 - Conversations with CoHosts! Today's episode is a temporary departure from our typical interview-style episode in favor of a candid conversation with all of our CoHosts, and our sponsor, Dr. Becky Simmons. We discuss our winter break happenings, dive into a book-club-style review of Malcolm Gladwell's "Talking to Strangers," and chat about some of our exciting plans for the future. Stay until the end to hear our fortunes (fortune-cookie-derived of course)! Thanks for getting back into the groove of the New Year with the This Engineering Life crew :)
Welcome to S4E05 - Entrepreneurship with Bill Walker! Today's episode features a spotlight interview with Bill Walker, the Mattson Family Director of Engineering Entrepreneurship and advisor to the Clark Scholars. Bill received his Ph.D and B.S.E. from Duke University in biomedical engineering and has had various entrepreneurial ventures in the field. He has taught at the University of Virginia for 16 years and has been back with us at Duke for the past 5 years. Listen in to hear more about Bill's experiences as an entrepreneur and the wisdom he has gained along the way.
Welcome to S4E04 - Women in STEM! Today's episode features a spotlight interview with Pratt's very own Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Karis Boyd-Sinkler. Our discussion covers her experiences, advice, and a deep dive into what it means to be a Woman in both STEM and specifically Duke Engineering. We wrap things up with a discussion from the female-identifying members of the This Engineering Life team in what we hope is an informative and eye-opening conversation. Thank you as always for tuning in to this very important episode, we hope you learn something!
Welcome to S4E03 - Animals on Campus! In today's episode, we speak to various students & faculty, as well as Duke's K9 Cognition Lab, and your favorite Keith and Nugget. We loved the wide variety of animals we see all over campus and wanted to bring you a fun, light-hearted episode, that may just inspire you to find a fluffy dog (or rat) to pet around campus. Thanks as always for tuning into today's episode, we hope it makes you smile :)
Welcome to S4E02 - Student Clubs! In today's episode, we speak with a ton of incredible Duke students and Pratt's Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs to uncover what makes up a student-run club on campus. We segment our episode between more "technical" engineering clubs (such as Duke Aero and Motorsports) and some of Pratt's Student Societies (NSBE, SWE, and SHPE to be specific). We hope this episode helps to broaden your perspective on the vast variety of clubs and opportunities Pratt has to offer. Who knows, you might even be inspired to try something new! Thanks as always for tuning into today's episode :)
Welcome to S4E01 - Welcome Back to Season 4! In our first episode of this new season, the whole This Engineering Life team (including our new co-host Reyna) join together in person for the first time since Season 1 to discuss our summers, our outlook on a new academic year, and our plans for the future. We hope this episode is a short but fun dive into all we're excited for in the next few months. Thanks for joining us!
Welcome to S3E06 - Senior Reflections! In our last episode of the season, we take our time interviewing a number of seniors who - in the midst of a crazy senior year - reflect on their cumulative Duke experiences. All of these engineers have something unique and important to say, and while they are only a small subset of the Pratt class of 2020, we hope their voices will speak for everyone.
Sometimes, you have to look back in order to understand the things that lie ahead. - Yvonne Woon
We hope you enjoy the final episode of This Engineering Life - Season 3 and we can't wait to bring you more fun and inspirational content when we're back in the Fall of 2021!
Welcome to S3E05 - FOOD! In today's episode, we speak with 4 incredible Duke students and one of Duke's Student Health Dietitians to uncover the secrets held in a student's relationship with food. We learn about how to plan out healthy meals, what to look for in a good snack, and where to go for more help and advice for special dietary circumstances. Additionally, we hear from freshmen students about how COVID has affected their personal eating habits, especially for those with allergies and eating restrictions. Finally, we tune into a senior's perspective, exploring different cooking tips and tricks, and even discussing some alternative diets. We can't wait for you to listen in to our second-to-last episode of the season!
Welcome to S3E04 - Dean Ravi! In today's episode, we spotlight our incredible Vinik Dean of Engineering, Ravi V. Bellamkonda. Dean Ravi speaks on his philosophy and goals as Dean of Pratt, gives advice to undergraduate students, shares stories from his experience, and reflects on all he's accomplished in his nearly 5 years at the helm of Pratt. This feature episode comes just after Dean Ravi's announced departure from Duke in June 2021 to become provost and executive vice president of Emory University. We hope you enjoy this special conversation with Dean Ravi as much as we did!
Welcome to S3E03 - Research. In today's episode, we learn about the many aspects of undergraduate research at Duke! We speak with two Duke undergrads who have jumped into many different forms of research, as well as a MEMS Professor well known for his research contributions and prestigious lab. We hear about the best and worst aspects of researching as a Duke engineering undergrad and dive deeper into the many opportunities available on campus. Adventure with us in this episode to hear some truly exciting, inspirational, and informative research stories!
00:00 - Episode Intro; 00:40 - Megan: Health Research & Other Considerations; 11:00 - Dr. Gall: An Inside Perspective on Research; 20:00 - George: A Different Take on Undergrad Research; 29:25 - CoHost Episode Commentary; 33:00 - Episode Outro
Welcome to S3E02 - Risk Taking. In today's episode, we learn about Risk! We speak two Duke undergrads as well as the founder of Duke's "Learning to Fail" course to explore differing perspectives on taking risks. We learn that risk can take on many forms and that everyone has different personal relationships with risk. Join us on this journey to better understand how risk-taking can make a positive (or negative) impact on our lives!
00:00 - Episode Intro; 1:05 - A Long History of Risk-Taking and its Payoffs (Claire); 10:00 - Spontaneous Risk and Exciting Results (Charlotte); 20:10 - I&E Professor's Perspectives on Risk (Dr. Dinin); 30:20 - Episode Outro
Welcome to S3E01 - Lessons on Learning. In today's episode, we introduce our newest co-host Fran Romano and editor Priya Juarez. We also speak with two Duke students and a Learning Consultant from the ARC (Academic Resource Center) who share their perspectives, experiences, and advice on learning! Thanks for tuning into yet another season of This Engineering Life :)
00:00 - New Team Member Intros; 1:50 - Duke Learning Consultant (Amanda); 13:45 - Remote Learning as a Freshman (Sophie); 23:45 -Senior Perspectives on Learning (Brooke); 31:05 - Episode Outro
Welcome to S2E06 - Engineering and the Arts. In today's episode, we speak with a variety of Duke Engineers who have interests spanning beyond engineering and into the world of the Arts. We learn about the different motivations of each of our interviewees, as well as hear about some of their favorite artistic accomplishments. Finally, we dive into the concept of how Engineering and Art can actually exist hand-in-hand. This is our last episode of Season Two, we can't thank you enough for joining us :)
Welcome to S2E05 - Startups. We talk today about what it takes to create, work for, and support startups of all kinds. This collection of information comes from students, alumni, and even Duke faculty who share with us their personal experiences in all levels and types of startups. It's our hope that this episode can be inspiring and informative for anyone considering startups as part of their future career path! Thank you for joining us :)
Welcome to S2E04 - Interviews! We spend today's episode exploring the experiences of Engineering students who have gone through the stressful but exciting process of interviewing! We'll be learning about interviews for both internships and full-time positions, and are excited to share with you some of the most fun, unusual, and unexpected stories. Also featured in today's episode is the advice and insights from Duke's Career Center. Thank you for joining us for this fun episode!
Welcome to S2E03 - Mental Health & Wellness, where we explore different perspectives on mental health and wellness on Duke's campus. This episode features Pratt students who speak on their personal experiences, as well as some strategies and practices that have helped them. Additionally, we speak to mental health experts in both the Wellness Center and Duke Reach about the vast quantity and variety of resources available to students who need them. We recognize here at This Engineering Life that especially during this global pandemic, mental health challenges are at an all-time high. It is our goal to share resources and experiences both to normalize needing/wanting help and to share that you are not alone. Thanks for listening!
Welcome to S2E02 - Black Lives Matter & Pratt! We spend today's episode exploring the effect that the Black Lives Matter movement's recent increase in awareness has had on Engineering Students at Duke, as well as the impact Pratt students have had on the BLM movement as a whole. We need to have candid conversations, built stronger foundations, and push to set positive examples. Black Lives Matter. This is undeniable and non-negotiable. We can and need to do better. Thank you for joining us.
Welcome to S2E01 - Summer Student Spotlights! Today we are proud to speak to six impressive Duke students about their summer experiences. We will dive into the depths of Duke's Data Plus program, explore the complexities of a Duke Startup, examine the process of engineering a COVID ventilator, and shoot to the stars to learn about the experiences of two SpaceX interns. We hope you enjoy the return of This Engineering Life - Season 2!
Welcome to Episode 007 - Senior Reflections, where we take our time interviewing a number of seniors who, in the midst of a stolen senior year, reflect on their cumulative Duke experiences. All of these engineers have something unique and important to say, and while they are only a small subset of the Pratt class of 2020, we hope their voices will speak for everyone.
Welcome to Episode 006 – Pratt: the Virtual Edition, where we discuss with a number of undergraduate students the effects of changes made to the way Pratt run that have started in the last few weeks. As distance learning, social distancing, and even stay-at-home orders are becoming the norms of daily life, we think it’s important to share that no-one is alone, and we’re all having to make changes to maintain as much of our normal lives as possible. The following interviews (all conducted from a social distance of course) aim to show you that, despite the changes to all of our worlds, we are still living This Engineering Life.
Welcome to Episode 005 – Engineering around COVID-19, where we discuss the vast array of adjustments and changes that students and professors have had to make amidst all of the uncertainty, changes, and closures resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic. We spotlight much of the outreach and empathy of students, as well as provide resources which will hopefully aid many in this time of social distancing.
Welcome to Episode 004 - SLGs and Other Commumities, where we speak with Engineers who have chosen to join a variety of social organizations that fill niches all over campus. We also interview Duke's Director of Student Engagement, Emilie Dye, about her role and unique perspective about how students and engineers find community on campus. Again, for their personal anonymity, we will not be releasing the names of any students who were interviewed in the making of this episode.
Welcome to Episode 003 - Greek Engineers! where we explore the lives of various Duke engineers who have decided to rush and join some of the Sororities and Fraternities active on campus. In addition to current Duke Engineers, we also speak with a current professor, Dr. Michael Gustafson about his fraternity experiences!
Welcome to Episode 002 - Effortless Perfection, where we hear perspectives from professors and students about what effortless perfection is, whether it exists at Duke, and how to navigate this landscape that may be unfamiliar for many. We also explore the differences in perspectives between freshmen and seniors when it comes to this important topic.
Welcome to Episode 001 (This Engineering Life’s first ever podcast), where we look into what it takes to be a Cameron Crazie and a Duke Engineer. Can you do both? What does it mean do be a line monitor… or a mascot? What if you’ve never been to a basketball game in your life? Hear it all right here on This Engineering Life.