BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2024: Emily Shand

What is your name, age, classification and major?
My name is Emily Shand. I am 21 years old and am a senior studying industrial engineering.

What year did you begin studying at MSU, and when is your expected graduation date?
I started at Mississippi State in August 2020 and am expecting to graduate in December 2024.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?
After receiving many generous scholarships, I attended Academic Insight and fell in love with the campus and the people here. I chose to study industrial engineering because I wanted to pursue a field that combined my skills in math and science with my love for helping people.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?
I have been very involved on campus over the past four years, but some of my favorite organizations are Freshman Year Navigators, Maroon VIP, New Maroon Camp, Orientation Leaders, Bagley College of Engineering Ambassadors, and Industrial and Systems Engineering Representatives.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?
The class I have enjoyed most here at MSU is Engineering Administration with Dr. Strawderman.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?
The most challenging course I have taken was Physics 3. I decided to take this course to pursue a physics minor because it is something I really enjoy learning, and I wanted to challenge myself. However, I was taking this course during my busiest and hardest semester and greatly struggled to find the motivation to devote myself to this class. I found that while I have always worked well under pressure, I shut down when I have too much going on. Since then, I have dropped the physics minor and have learned to prioritize my time and mental health better.

What is one thing you have learned related to engineering during your time at the Bagley College of Engineering?
Along with the technical skills that I have learned in my classes, I have also learned that the field of engineering is much more diverse and applicable to more fields than I originally thought.

How has MSU, specifically the Bagley College of Engineering, prepared you for professional life after college?
MSU and the Bagley College of Engineering have provided me with countless opportunities to build my professional skills and work on teams with people both inside and outside of engineering.

What are your plans after graduation?
After I graduate, I plan to take the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to pursue my PE certification. Then, I will begin a master’s program in project management.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?
The things I will miss most about MSU are the people I have met and the relationships I have built.