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 [email protected] 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.

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).

Soundboard run by Gerardo Maldonado. Episode edited by Paul Nissenson.

This episode was recorded on November 20, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

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 [email protected] 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.

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: 

Paul discussed the CPP Polytechnic STEAM Academy in the episode. Here is the program's mission statement:

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to [email protected] and Paul will personally read your email.

This episode was recorded on October 24, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona. 

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:

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to [email protected] and Paul will personally read your email.

This episode was recorded on October 24, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

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:

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to [email protected] and Paul will personally read your email.

This episode was recorded on September 5, 2019 at Cal Poly Pomona.

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 [email protected] 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.

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 [email protected] 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.

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., Cal Poly Pomona). Professors Jawa and Herder describe their experiences teaching engineering courses for many years and provide tips to engineering students on how to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to [email protected] 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 16, 2018 at Cal Poly Pomona.

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 Engineers, and tips for Civil Engineering students. For more information about Civil Engineering, check out the Cal Poly Pomona Civil Engineering website: http://www.cpp.edu/~engineering/CE/about.shtml

Have comments about this episode? Send your feedback to [email protected] 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 7, 2018 at Cal Poly Pomona.