New Jersey Institute of Technology - Newark College of Engineering

Q&A with Dr.Matt Bandelt, Associate Dean and Associate Professor for Ph.D. Research and Graduate Studies at the Newark College of Engineering

rje5 — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:14:58 +0000

Earning a Ph.D. in an engineering field can open the doors to many career opportunities as well as boost your personal growth. A Ph.D. in engineering can give you:

Enhanced critical thinking skills and the ability to identify worthy technical challenges
Application of scientific principles and technology to address societal and technical challenges by conducting well-designed and comprehensive research campaigns, resulting in meaningful as well as original contributions
Opportunity to pursue investigations and studies at the highest levels of sophistication and complexity, and help address the most important objectives of our society.

We got the inside scoop about �鶹��˰�’s Ph.D. offerings within the Newark College of Engineering from Associate Dean and Associate Professor Dr.Matt Bandelt. In this Q&A, he discusses the structure, content, goals and benefits of doctoral studies at �鶹��˰�.

Q: What Ph.D. programs are being offered at the Newark College of Engineering (NCE)?

A: All our engineering departments (Biomedical, Chemical and Materials, Civil and Environmental, Electrical and Computer, and Mechanical and Industrial) offer Ph.D. programs. Those Ph.D. programs include:

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Transportation Engineering

The Ph.D. programs encompass the main areas of engineering, and extend the student’s horizons well beyond earlier undergraduate studies in the same areas. The doctoral programs are meant for individuals who are highly interested in research, possess the ability to think analytically, wish to address major challenges in technology and engineering, and are capable of methodical and original thinking.

Q: What type of research will Ph.D. candidates be involved with in each program?

A: It really varies depending on the program. Some of the students who enter our programs will have laboratory-intensive experience — they may be working in a lab designing experiments, running tests, and collecting and analyzing data. Other students, for example, our environmental engineering and our transportation engineering students, may be collecting data in the field, using the real-world as their laboratory for collecting data for their research. For example, transportation engineers may be gathering data on driverless cars, traffic systems, and other components of transportation infrastructure that are used to keep our roads and cities more efficient.

Nearly every engineering field has the potential to benefit from computer simulation work — students can research and develop the next generation of computational tools to model and solve complex engineering problems.

For example – In our biomedical engineering degree program, we currently have several researchers who work on biomechanical, tissue engineering, and brain imaging problems. Students working in this area of research often develop new biomechanical systems and assist devices for humans with different needs in order to alleviate the impact of certain diseases and improve patient quality of life.

Ph.D. candidates in our chemical and material engineering program often combine computer modeling work with lab experiments, moving between simulations and physical prototypes. Such studies are common in the development of new materials and in understanding how they interact with new environments.

We are tailoring the path of every student toward the Ph.D. degree to accommodate the student’s interests and talents, and to ensure that students study important problems whose resolution can have a positive impact on human welfare, society, and the environment.

Q: What makes �鶹��˰�’s Ph.D. programs and research opportunities unique?

A: �鶹��˰� is well known for the collaborative spirit of its Ph.D. programs. In almost every project we engage multiple researchers and advisors, encourage cooperation between research groups and multiple students, and work across departmental and college boundaries. In addition, we have very strong ties to industry – in New Jersey and in the nation. Many projects are funded and guided by the industry, with input from seasoned practitioners and policy makers. Many of our Ph.D. students do some of their research work in labs and installations of companies, utilities, and government agencies. The strong ties that �鶹��˰� has developed with industry increase the practicality and relevance of research work performed at �鶹��˰�.

Another exciting part of �鶹��˰�’s engineering Ph.D. programs is the energetic and highly active faculty. In our departments you will find side-by-side senior researchers who are named fellows of their professional societies along with young faculty members who are recent graduates from the top engineering programs in the nation and in the world. This combination of long-time experience and evolving expertise provides our doctoral students with comprehensive, robust, and multi-dimensional mentoring. Many of our younger faculty members are recipients of the prestigious NSF CAREER award and of other federal and industrial recognitions. These distinctions signify excellence, and reflect on the education that our doctoral students receive.

The location of �鶹��˰� and the generous support that we provide to student travel allow our Ph.D. students to attend professional conferences, present their findings to the community, improve their communication skills, and build a strong professional network. This network is often proven invaluable when the fresh Ph.D. graduate seeks employment in industry, a national lab, or an academic institution.

Q: In what ways does having a Ph.D. from �鶹��˰� help your career growth?

A: Earning a Ph.D. qualifies you to do highly technical and research work. When you do start your career, you're going to be able to accelerate significantly faster, and address more challenging, and hence more rewarding, challenges. With this rapid acceleration, appropriate opportunities will open up, and you can advance into roles that are geared for those with a Ph.D. For example, companies that do their own R&D (research and development) tend to hire Ph.D. graduates to work on the most important and more complicated problems. The likelihood is that you will get access to the best equipment, computation facilities, and software.

Personally, I'm a structural engineer, and some of my past students have gone on and worked for companies where they do forensic analysis of buildings and bridges that failed. These are the really complicated types of problems where a person who earned a Ph.D. can help resolve a truly complex scenario.

If you’re interested in becoming a professor or working at a national laboratory, then you would certainly need a Ph.D. to pursue that career.

Q: What is the benefit of earning your Ph.D. in engineering?

A: While going through the process of earning your Ph.D., you work directly with a research advisor, but you're also doing highly independent work. You receive guidance from your advisor and your research group on how to solve certain problems, but you also develop new ways of thinking on how to solve problems on your own. Additionally, your own intellectual curiosity brings about new questions, and helps you think in an entirely new manner. In time you create your own challenges.

In addition to developing a deep understanding of a particular research area, you often become very good at designing experiments and at developing computational tools to address new situations. You become a much more original and daring thinker. You become more strategic in your decision making and in your engineering judgment.

Writing and presentation skills also benefit from doctoral studies. Individuals who get a doctoral degree will often develop strong technical writing abilities. Ph.D. graduates often have to write, present, and explain complicated topics to wide audiences, from the general public to policy makers to other experts in their fields. It makes them better presenters, and the result is professionals who are deep thinkers and at the same time are also well-organized, factual, reliable, articulate and persuasive.

Pursue your Ph.D. at �鶹��˰�

Earning your Ph.D. in Engineering can propel your career and help you become a valuable member of any team. You’ll be able to use these critical problem solving skills to make strategic decisions in the engineering industry. Apply now to start your Ph.D. journey.

Tagged:

Succeeding as an engineer requires excellent technical, communication, and collaboration skills. Take your skills and knowledge to the next level with a Ph.D. in engineering.

Post Date:

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Top 6 Highest Paying Careers You Can Land with a Degree in Concrete Industry Management

rje5 — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:21:03 +0000

The concrete construction industry is filled with a myriad of career opportunities that are both challenging and rewarding.

According to Frank Flatch, the Vice President of Human Resource & Corporate Counsel at Silvi Group Companies, by entering a concrete industry management (CIM) program “you’re getting access to resources as well as experiences that you would not otherwise. There are a plethora of opportunities available and you’re guaranteed a job upon graduation.”

After earning your degree in concrete industry management, you’ll be prepared to jump into the workforce in one of these competitive roles:

1) Plant manager

Average Salary: $96,478

The plant manager is responsible for daily operations of the concrete plant. As a plant manager, you’ll oversee safety operations, inventory, production, maintenance, and supervision of employees. It’s important to be familiar with and maintain OSHA guidelines to ensure all operations remain in compliance.

Aside from leading training, performance evaluations, and team development, plant managers must make sure the plan is running as efficiently and productively as possible while following all safety protocols. This includes spotting areas in need of improvement and using critical and strategic thinking skills to solve the problem.

2) Supply chain manager

Average Salary: $87,261

Concrete industry supply chain managers develop and monitor the supply chain strategy of the company or organization. As a supply chain manager, your overall goal is to improve productivity and efficiency while also reducing costs. By keeping track of logistics and inventory, those in this role must improve how the company runs without sacrificing any high quality material.

Those in this position must be comfortable analyzing data and performance, have excellent problem solving and project management skills, and be able to collaborate well with other departments.

3) Technical services manager

Average Salary: $81,374

Concrete industry management professionals in this position have both technical support and quality assurance responsibilities. The technical services manager handles aspects of the entire process from production to customer delivery. These specialists are able to troubleshoot quality issues, assist in the preparation of projects, monitor production, collect and analyze data, and identify areas and materials that need changes based on quality and technical standards.

Flatch describes this role as “the person who steps in to answer specific questions and concerns regarding the products. This role is critical since they deal with both sides of production – the input of raw materials, and the finished product ”

4) Quality control/quality assurance manager

Average Salary: $73,167

When working with concrete, it is crucial that all materials provided for construction projects meet all guidelines and specifications, and that all employees are properly trained to safely use them. To ensure that this isn’t overlooked, the quality control manager and quality assurance manager document it all.

Those in this role have the important responsibility of monitoring, assessing, and adjusting production and placement processes to guarantee the final product will meet all specifications. These professionals document levels of quality including testing, training, materials sampling, construction inspection and project oversight.

5) Lab/research manager

Average Salary: $63,050

The role of lab or research manager is responsible for overseeing all laboratory spaces, coordinating laboratory support, and developing laboratory capabilities for research. Those who step into this managerial position ensure that all laboratory equipment is properly maintained and used correctly. They must also keep track of project deadlines, provide lab scheduling, and perform tests and experiments.

6) Environmental specialist

Average Salary: $55,526

It’s no secret that construction projects heavily impact the environment. The environmental specialist has the duty of monitoring the impact and identifying issues that arise from the project. They then assess their data and recommend viable solutions based on their analysis. Professionals in this position have a goal to improve the living conditions of the environment and help the concrete plant leave as little of a carbon footprint as possible.

Environmental specialists must conduct field inspections, train employees about environmental hazards, prepare detailed reports, and analyze test samples. To be successful in this role, you should have in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and health and safety programs. You should also understand the concrete making process to better identify causes of pollution and how to prevent spills and hazardous waste from entering the environment.

Set yourself apart with a degree from �鶹��˰�

Having a degree in concrete industry management from �鶹��˰� will help you start your career in CIM as soon as you finish school.

Flatch points out that “many companies will hire a CIM graduate right into a managerial role. Completing this degree puts you on a faster track to higher positions, advancements, and growth. You could be managing your own site just 2 years after college, if not sooner. Very early in your career you could be doing unbelievable things and start off with a 70K base salary with a 5K bonus just for having your degree.”

Don’t wait to get started. Apply today and see where this degree can take you!

Tagged:

From the sidewalks you walk on and the car park you park in, to the foundation of your house and exterior of your work building, concrete is everywhere. If you have a passion for building and want to work with your hands to solve problems, a degree in concrete industry management may be perfect for you.

Post Date:

Friday, February 18, 2022

New Jersey Institute of Technology - Newark College of Engineering

Q&A with Dr.Matt Bandelt, Associate Dean and Associate Professor for Ph.D. Research and Graduate Studies at the Newark College of Engineering

Pursue your Ph.D. at �鶹���˰�

Tagged:

Top 6 Highest Paying Careers You Can Land with a Degree in Concrete Industry Management

1) Plant manager

2) Supply chain manager

3) Technical services manager

4) Quality control/quality assurance manager

5) Lab/research manager

6) Environmental specialist

Set yourself apart with a degree from �鶹���˰�

Tagged:

Pursue your Ph.D. at �鶹��˰�

Set yourself apart with a degree from �鶹��˰�