Ten Tips For MEM Students

Northwestern Engineering alumni share their best advice for students in the Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program.

There is no one who can provide better advice to current and future Master of Engineering Management (MEM) students than alumni who leverage the lessons they learned at Northwestern on a daily basis.

The MEM program reached out to alumni to ask what tips they would share based on their experiences. Each response was different, but they all fell under one of three overarching pieces of advice: never stop learning; take advantage of opportunities; and contribute, and then give back.

NEVER STOP LEARNING

"Learning is an iterative process and I credit some of my MEM classes including Simulation and Quantitative Methods for exposing me to innovative ideas. My only advice would be 'Don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks.'" — Manik Aryapadi

"Take the things you learn and do within the MEM program to find what it is that you are passionate about. It may take some time to find out what that is, and you may have to go through roles that feel like 'it’s just a job.' But the MEM experience will help you uncover what is your passion and help you amplify those qualities that help keep you passionate about what you are doing." — Peter Look

"Never underestimate the talent/skills of your coworkers, and never pass by an opportunity for personal development and continued learning. Keep learning, growing, and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Also, look for opportunities to volunteer and give back to your community. You will learn so many different skills, meet new people, network, grow relationships, and discover a side of yourself you might not have ever knew existed. Always keep networking!" — Jessica Irons

"Always remember that learning never stops, and never be afraid to ask questions. Always surround yourself with experiences that you can learn from. Think about how the world and its people touch your lives. It is vital to think about and observe everything around you. As an engineer, this mentality will help make the world a better place." — Nandan Chokshi

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

"Take advantage of all the program has to offer. This is one thing that I have always wished to do more but couldn't. There are so many unique and great experiences outside of the classrooms that Northwestern provides. There are shadow days with an alumni, dinner with 12, and many competitions that will help hone your skills or launch a potential new business." — Thao Minh Ta

"Do not look past the human element. Understand what motivates you, what are your strengths, what are your biases, and how you make others feel. Beyond the critical thinking and analytical skills, do not forget the behavioral skills that you are learning in every class. Leadership is about motivating and influencing others, and I argue this cannot be done without understanding the human character. Embrace your opportunity." — Jeff Narducci

"Dive in and take advantage of everything your classmates, MEM and Northwestern have to offer. The time will go by quickly, and you'll find yourself missing the program once it is over. As Professor Semb said in my first class, 'Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.'" — David Zeman

CONTRIBUTE, AND THEN GIVE BACK

"To future students, I'm biased that this is the program engineers and technical people should engage in to further their careers. The tools the MEM program equips you with is key and essential to building upon current knowledge which will open doors in your career path. To those current students in the MEM program, I encourage to give back to NU upon graduation. This doesn't always mean monetarily, I mean in being a good ambassador of the program. If you have the ability to mentor, hire or give projects to students in the program, please do this as I have done." — David K. Platt

"You will get out of the program what you put into it. Make a commitment to learn the materials, engage with the faculty, staff, and your classmates, then savor the experience." — Sandra Waters

"Northwestern's MEM program will challenge and stretch you in unimaginable ways. I encourage all students to be active contributors to the program – to respectfully discuss, debate, and challenge each other, and soak up the knowledge and experience your professors and classmates bring to the program. Apply the knowledge daily to unlock your future, give back to the Northwestern and MEM community, and make a positive impact on the world." — Julian Cheng

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