Hosted by the Women in Engineering, Science, Technology, and Math (WESTM) Initiative, and the Convergence for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Institute, Tandon’s latest “Chat and Chew” provided a diverse group of students a fun lunch with a unique focus on design and innovation. Last September, the Chat and Chew featured remarks by Nicole Johnson, Assistant Dean for Opportunity Programs at Tandon, as well as Jin Montclare, Director of the CIE Institute and Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Each table at the event hosted a variety of skilled and knowledgeable mentors from NYU’s Brooklyn community, including Victoria Bill, MakerSpace Manager; Steven Kuyan, Future Labs Managing Director; Ana Bolsoni, Computer Engineering Undergraduate Student; and, Kathleen Chao, Integrated Digital Media Graduate Student. While enjoying a fantastic and free box-style lunch, students switched tables every 10 minutes to engage with and learn from experts across different technical fields offered by Tandon.
Left: Jin Montclare, Director of the CIE Institute and Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, shares a few brief remarks on the NSF I-CORPS Sites Program and CIE Institute.
Right: Nicole Johnson, Assistant Dean for Opportunity Programs, starts off the event through a few words of inspiration and a brief overview of the WESTM Committee.
Overall, no matter what they were studying or were planning to do after they graduate, the students each seemed to find a personal and professional benefit from the small group chats. Victoria, a graduate student studying Computer Science, told the CIE team that the speakers at the event shared helpful resources and insight about being women in STEM. Moreover, Eric and Zhayi, undergraduates studying civil and mechanical engineering respectively, commented on their discussion with Kathleen Chao, praising the conversation as an “eye-opening” event that made them feel more involved with their research.
Above: Students, here, listen to Ana Bolsoni (far left), an Undergraduate Student in Computer Engineering, shares her experience as a woman in STEM.
In addition to the group of over 20 students in attendance, the Chat and Chew seemed to offer the speakers and experts their own opportunity to reflect on their successes. Kathleen Chao, a graduate student in the Integrated Digital Media program, discussed her own experience learning to program and code in order to achieve both her interests in art and technologies like artificial intelligence. Furthermore, Steven Kuyan, the Future Labs Managing Director, spoke about the dedication it takes for students to apply their technical skills to the workforce. For a successful startup, Kuyan notes, students must be devoted to what they do and focused on the problems they wish to solve. Kuyan suggested it might require long workdays; but, the most important requirement is that students get help and talk with experts at Tandon first.
Above: Steven Kuyan (middle), the Future Labs Managing Director, answers several students’ questions regarding their startups.
Given this was the first round of Chat and Chews this semester, students already seem eager to express their motivation to network and innovate. Join the next Chat and Chew by following Tandon’s Events page, and learn more about WESTM and CIE on social media.