Roger is a 6th year PhD candidate in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. For his dissertation research, Roger studies bio-inspired energy efficiency and large-scale energy transition.
Roger participated in PhD Plus modules in Communicating Research, Consulting and Data Literacy. Roger is the Vice President of Finance in the Graduate Consulting Club at UVA. Over summer, Roger participated in the Propel program, UVA's new project-based learning program designed to gain valuable skills and solve real-world problems for clients. PhD Plus supported the program, primarily for experiential learning of graduate students towards career preparation in Consulting.
Q. What are your career aspirations?
I am passionate about applying my analytical research skills acquired during my Ph.D. education to solve real-world problems. I am open to navigating diverse career sectors to solve societal problem.
Q. Please summarize your experience in the Propel program of project-based learning.
I want to gain experience in communicating and collaborating with local communities to solve business challenges they face. Propel provided the opportunity to participate in team-based projects sourced through employer partners and local Charlottesville start-ups. My team had 5 members, comprising 1 PhD student and 4 undergraduate students, and we received mentoring from an alumni project coach. The project challenge was two weeks long and concluded with a capstone presentation that we presented to a panel of judges comprised of employer partners and alumni. My team designed a digital campaign for small businesses in Fluvanna county, with mentorship from UVA alumni working in government relations at a start-up tech company.
Q. What professional skills did you develop through this experience?
I developed various communication skills through the completion of the project. My dissertation research enabled developing data visualization skills. However, the Propel program afforded the opportunity to develop skills in visual design and storytelling.
Q. How has this project-based experiential learning assisted in your career development and planning?
This program has helped me prepare for my desired career in project-based consulting. I have learned more about how to communicate with professionals in different fields efficiently and deliver solutions on time with a compelling story.
Q. What advice would you give your peers on utilizing PhD Plus project-based learning and other experiential learning opportunities for career development?
The PhD Plus skills training and experiential learning programs are great professional development opportunities in addition to Ph.D. research training. These programs will provide familiarity of the real business world, and skills and experiences in research, leadership, teamwork, and communication to a broad audience outside academia.