BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2022: Alyssa Gates

What is your name, age, classification and major?

Alyssa Gates, 22, senior, industrial and systems engineering

What year did you begin studying at MSU and when is your expected graduation date?

I began studying at MSU in the fall of 2018 and my expected graduation date is May 2022.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?

I chose Mississippi State for the family atmosphere I felt the first time I toured campus. I love how MSU has the big SEC school feel but also the small-town feel. I chose engineering because I loved math and science, and I wanted to pursue a major with lots of opportunity for the future. I chose industrial engineering specifically because it was the perfect mix of business and technical skills. I also love the people aspect of industrial engineering and I genuinely believe it is unlike any other major.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?

My favorite campus organizations are BCoE Ambassadors, ISE Reps, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Nu Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I enjoy meeting with prospective students and sharing my experience within the Bagley College of Engineering and Mississippi State. I also enjoy my NSBE family; it is nice to be surrounded by people who look like you and have the same goals as you. I love my sorority as I have wanted to be a member since I was a little girl and volunteering is a passion of mine.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?

My favorite course has been information systems. At first, I did not think I would enjoy the class because it is Microsoft Excel and programming heavy, but I learned a lot of useful tools and information in that class that I use all the time with organizations and homework. I also enjoyed project management; I want to go into management eventually and get my master’s in management systems so that class solidified my interest in the area.

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 would be Chemistry 2. I could not grasp the information, but from that, I learned how to study material I was not fond of and when to ask for help. In high school, I never really had to study or ask for help, so it was hard for me to accept that it is okay to ask for help when you are struggling. I also learned that I could do anything I set my mind to with a little hard work and determination.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?

I have learned how to collaborate with a team of people that think differently than myself. In engineering, you work on a team a lot, if not all the time, and between group project, labs, and senior design, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with many different people with different perspectives, strengths, weaknesses and knowledge. That is important especially going into a field where most of the work is team-based.

How has MSU and specifically the department of engineering prepared you for professional life after college?

Mississippi State and the Bagley College of Engineering have prepared me for professional life by teaching me how to manage my time and work well with others. With being involved in multiple organizations and being an engineering student, it is important to manage my time.

What are your plans after graduation?

I have accepted a job with Mississippi Power back home on the coast working in their transmission division in Project Management.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?

I will miss the people of MSU the most: my advisors, friends and classmates. Being so involved on campus, I have met and built relationships with so many amazing people that I hold dearly. I will be sad when I leave them, but hopeful to stay in touch.