Find Your Flock

The Schaefer School of Engineering & Science at Stevens Institute of Technology
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Hosted by Dr. Sandra Clavijo, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science, the Find Your Flock podcast is the place for budding engineers and scientists to gain insights from current college students and recent college graduates about career options for STEM majors.

  1. Find Your Flock, E21: Naval Engineering, Ocean Engineering & Emerging Fields w/Andrew Vallent

    1D AGO

    Find Your Flock, E21: Naval Engineering, Ocean Engineering & Emerging Fields w/Andrew Vallent

    Naval engineering isn’t just ships and submarines—and Andrew Valent explains why. In this episode of Find Your Flock, the fourth-year Stevens student shares how he discovered naval engineering, what the major really covers, and how the program is expanding into ocean engineering. Andrew also talks about studying in a small, close-knit cohort, learning across multiple engineering fields, and why Stevens is one of the few places where students can explore engineering through a coastal and maritime lens. The conversation is a practical look at choosing a less common major, understanding emerging engineering fields, and finding an academic path that actually fits your interests. ⚙️ About out Bachelor's Degree in Engineering - Naval Engineering Concentration: https://www.stevens.edu/program/naval-engineering-concentration 👷 About the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering: https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/departments/civil-environmental-ocean-engineering 🌊 About Ocean Engineering at Stevens: https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/departments/civil-environmental-ocean-engineering/ocean-engineering Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys: 🍎 Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7 ▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@theschaeferschool ℹ️ About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock

    17 min
  2. Find Your Flock, E20: Mathematics, Leadership and Life After Graduation w/ Zoe Hack

    FEB 4

    Find Your Flock, E20: Mathematics, Leadership and Life After Graduation w/ Zoe Hack

    A mathematics major’s path doesn’t end at graduation. In episode 20 of Find Your Flock, Stevens alum Zoe Hack '24 talks about studying mathematics with minors in computer science and economics, stepping into student leadership, and figuring out what came next after graduation. She shares how a high school teacher led her to Stevens, why the campus size ended up being the perfect fit, and how a love of math shaped her academic and professional path. If you’re curious about majoring in math, combining technical interests, or navigating life after college, listen and subscribe. ➕ About the Mathematics Bachelor’s Program at Stevens: https://www.stevens.edu/program/mathematics-bachelor-degree Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys: 🍎 Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY ▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwUfRPrFayA&list=PL_CV4Z_zAyoB3Ds8RchqzB9MMQ4GIe1K1 ℹ️ About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast

    16 min
  3. Find Your Flock, E19: From Computer Engineering to Startups w/ Aidan Ruck

    JAN 28

    Find Your Flock, E19: From Computer Engineering to Startups w/ Aidan Ruck

    In this episode of Find Your Flock, Aidan Ruck, a senior and AMP student at Stevens Institute of Technology, talks about his journey in computer engineering and building his own startup. Aidan shares how professors and hands-on experiences shaped his academic path, from exploring AI and entrepreneurship to unexpected lessons in humanities courses. He also dives into his senior design project, Aventix, which he has been developing for three years through Stevens’ Launchpad, aiming to improve how live artists get paid. He closes with advice for students figuring out their path, highlighting the flexibility of computer engineering, the support of faculty, and the opportunities to grow while exploring your interests. 🎓 Learn more about the Computer Engineering Master’s Program at Stevens:https://www.stevens.edu/program/computer-engineering-masters🎓About Stevens' AMP Program: https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/accelerated-masters-program 🚀 About Launchpad:@Stevens: https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/undergraduate-studies/launchpad 🎧 Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast

    14 min
  4. Find Your Flock, E18: From Biomedical Engineering to Alzheimer’s Research w Bertila Bruka

    JAN 21

    Find Your Flock, E18: From Biomedical Engineering to Alzheimer’s Research w Bertila Bruka

    Bertila Bruka '25 is a recent Stevens alumnae who studied biomedical engineering, and along the way she found a research path that led her straight into Alzheimer’s disease work. In this episode of Find Your Flock, she talks with Dr. Sandra Clavijo about her classes, joining a lab,and doing real research before graduation. They discuss how biomedical engineering coursework builds the foundation for health research, how early lab experiences change the way you think about science, and why working on Alzheimer’s is both challenging and motivating. Bertila also shares how the transition to Stevens shaped her perspective, her resilience and her long-term goal of proving people wrong to pursue a Ph.D. If you are a student trying to figure out how a major turns into a career, or you are curious about what it takes to join research in a complex health field, this episode gives an honest look at how that process actually happens. Find Your Flock is a podcast from the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science at Stevens Institute of Technology that highlights student journeys in STEM. New episodes release Wednesdays. Subscribe! 🔬 About our Biomedical Engineering Bachelor's program: - Bachelor's: https://www.stevens.edu/program/biomedical-engineering-bachelor-degree 🔬 About the Department of Biomedical Engineering: - https://www.stevens.edu/bme 🎧 Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast

    16 min
  5. Find Your Flock, E17: Exploring a Chemical Engineering Career Path w/Dariya Baizhigitova

    JAN 16

    Find Your Flock, E17: Exploring a Chemical Engineering Career Path w/Dariya Baizhigitova

    What does a chemical engineering career path really look like while you are still in school? In Episode 17 of Find Your Flock, host Sandra Clavijo speaks with Dariya Baizhigitova, a chemical engineering student, about academic decision making, technical growth, and how coursework and projects shape long term career direction. The conversation focuses on how students develop engineering skills, learn to communicate complex ideas, and gain confidence in their academic path while still leaving room for exploration.Dariya reflects on the process of learning chemical engineering concepts, explaining design decisions, and preparing for future opportunities in industry or graduate study. Along the way, Dariya touches on campus experiences that help ground the academic journey and make the path forward feel more real. 🧪 About our Chemical Engineering programs: - Bachelor's: https://www.stevens.edu/program/chemical-engineering-bachelor-degree - Master's: https://www.stevens.edu/program/chemical-engineering-masters - Ph.D.: https://www.stevens.edu/program/chemical-engineering-phd 🧪 About the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science: https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/departments/chemical-engineering-materials-science🎧 Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys:Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast

    16 min
  6. Find Your Flock, E16: From Physics & Applied Math to Graduate Research w/ Michael Gajdosik and Jordan Cory

    12/17/2025

    Find Your Flock, E16: From Physics & Applied Math to Graduate Research w/ Michael Gajdosik and Jordan Cory

    Stevens alumni Michael Gajdosik '23 and Jordan Cory '23, both dual majors in physics and pure & applied mathematics, share their paths from undergraduate research to graduate study. They discuss REUs, coding and lab work, international collaborations, and how early research shaped their careers. Michael now pursues a Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear physics at Michigan State University, while Jordan focuses on experimental nuclear chemistry for her Ph.D. at the same university. ⚛ About the Bachelor's Degree in Physics: https://www.stevens.edu/program/physics-bachelor-degree ➕ About the Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics: https://www.stevens.edu/program/mathematics-bachelor-degree 🎧 Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@theschaeferschool About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast

    22 min
  7. Find Your Flock, E15: Exploring Industrial & Systems Engineering w/Salomé Orozco & Aliona Heitz

    12/10/2025

    Find Your Flock, E15: Exploring Industrial & Systems Engineering w/Salomé Orozco & Aliona Heitz

    Join us for a special first-ever dual interview on Find Your Flock! In this episode, we chat with undergraduate students Salomé Orozco and Aliona Heitz from the Industrial & Systems Engineering program. They share insights on their favorite courses, research and internship experiences and how they’re applying systems thinking to industries like aerospace, software, and transportation. Learn about INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering), student leadership opportunities, and how these future engineers are building skills for careers at top companies. Whether you’re interested in systems design, human factors, or integrating engineering with finance, this episode has actionable advice for aspiring systems engineers. ℹ️ About the Department of Systems Engineering:https://www.stevens.edu/se ⚙ About the Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering: https://www.stevens.edu/program/industrial-systems-engineering-bachelor-degree 🎧 Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys:Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@theschaeferschool About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast

    27 min
  8. Find Your Flock, E14: Evolving into a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. + Startup Leadership w/Erin Kreis

    12/03/2025

    Find Your Flock, E14: Evolving into a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. + Startup Leadership w/Erin Kreis

    In this episode, Ph.D. candidate Erin Kreis walks us through her journey from a Mechanical Engineering undergrad to a Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. at Stevens. She explains how mechanical engineering provides the foundation of physics and motion, while biomedical engineering applies those principles to the human body, tissue behavior, and cellular processes. Erin discusses pitching through Launchpad, gaining entrepreneurial confidence, and how those experiences supported the development of her startup, Silver Strides, aimed at improving accessibility and mobility solutions for aging populations. She also highlights the community-driven nature of the BME department, supportive faculty and the department’s energy around events like Pink October and BME Research Day. 🥼 Learn more about the Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. Program at Stevens: https://www.stevens.edu/program/biomedical-engineering-phd 🩻 Learn more about the Biomedical Engineering Master's Program at Stevens: https://www.stevens.edu/program/biomedical-engineering-masters ⚙️ Learn more about the Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Program at Stevens: https://www.stevens.edu/program/mechanical-engineering-bachelor-degree 🚀 About the Stevens Launchpad Program: https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/undergraduate-studies/launchpad 🎧 Follow Find Your Flock for more student journeys:Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZZ1voMlZxJbvbXgQ5DGY7 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/find-your-flock/id1811444054 About Find Your Flock: https://www.stevens.edu/find-your-flock-podcast 🔔 Subscribe and share with a Future Duck!

    12 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dr. Sandra Clavijo, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science, the Find Your Flock podcast is the place for budding engineers and scientists to gain insights from current college students and recent college graduates about career options for STEM majors.

Information

  • Creator
    The Schaefer School of Engineering & Science at Stevens Institute of Technology
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Schaefer School of Engineering & Science at Stevens Institute of Technology
  • Show Website
    Find Your Flock