Welcome to the Student Stories category of Catalyst, a diverse tapestry of narratives that showcases the experiences and journeys of students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), spanning online, on-campus, and international students alike. Here, we delve into the personal accounts of individuals who have embraced the WPI community in its various forms, illuminating the richness and diversity of student life. Through heartfelt interviews, engaging articles, and captivating anecdotes, we aim to bring you closer to the incredible individuals who have embarked on transformative educational paths at WPI, regardless of their physical location. From the challenges and triumphs of online learning to the vibrant campus experiences and the unique perspectives of international students, Student Stories embraces the multifaceted dimensions of student life at WPI. Join us as we journey through the stories of students who have embraced the flexibility of online education, formed lasting connections on campus, and brought their diverse backgrounds and perspectives to enrich the WPI community. Catalyst’s Student Stories invites you to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and personal growth of students from all walks of life, uniting them under the shared banner of the WPI experience.
Welcome to the Gateway Scholar Spotlight Series! WPI Online recently launched the Gateway Scholarship, which is awarded each year to 5 of our online, part-time graduate students. This series will introduce you to the award winners: working professionals who are pursuing their educational goals through WPI Online while juggling career, family, and more. How many data scientists do…Continue Reading Data Manager, Musician & Mom – Gateway Scholar Spotlight
Welcome to the Gateway Scholar Spotlight Series! WPI Online recently launched the Gateway Scholarship, which is awarded each year to 5 of our online, part-time graduate students. This series will introduce you to the award winners: working professionals who are pursuing their educational goals through WPI Online while juggling career, family, and more. One visit to any…Continue Reading Engineering the Happiest Place on Earth – Gateway Scholar Spotlight
Kimberly Giannola, a Manufacturing Engineer at UTC, is in the final stretch of earning her MBA from WPI. We caught up with Kimberly as she was in the process of completing her Graduate Qualifying Project (GQP), the final course in the MBA program which allows students to apply what they have learned to real-world…Continue Reading Kimberly Giannola: I Earned an MBA at Work!
Ariel Karolinski, a Business Unit Controller for Global Supply Chain Finance at UTC, decided to pursue her MBA as a way to differentiate her skills in a changing work environment and uncertain economy. “I wanted an MBA to help my future career potential and to gain more management experience. Undergraduate studies really don’t cover this.”…Continue Reading Ariel Karolinski: MBA with Engineering Focus is a Perfect Fit
Bradford Fleming knows firsthand how daunting it can be to consider a part-time MBA program while working full time. “At the time I was a project engineer at UTC, and was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do the schoolwork and my job.” But a desire for more career opportunities convinced him he needed…Continue Reading Bradford Fleming: WPI’s MBA Helped this Chemical Engineer Climb Higher
Adam Payne found a match for his skills as a lead engineer and systems architect with the WPI Master of Science in Systems Engineering. As Principal System Engineer at General Dynamics C4 Systems, serving as a Deputy Program Manager for Engineering (DPME), and System Architect on a research and development project for the US Air…Continue Reading Adam Payne: Convenience Was the Key
Kimberly Hood worked 10 years as a programmer and analyst before changing gears to stay at home and raise her two children. During her professional absence, cyber security concerns in the corporate world grew nearly as quickly as her children. “I then re-entered the work force and felt like I had to play catch-up for…Continue Reading Kimberly Hood: Making Confident Decisions
When David Stec was asked when the right time is to start an advanced degree program, he said: “Now!” A Senior Manufacturing Tech II at AbbVie, responsible for the downstream fine purification of commercial drug substances, David took advantage of the opportunity to earn his Master of Science in Bioscience Administration when his employer partnered with…Continue Reading David Stec: Time is of the Essence
