professional development
During my fall semester sophomore year, I attended my first professional conference hosted by the Society of Women Engineers. It was an amazing experience, and I was pleasantly surprised by how inspiring it was. I was surrounded by more female engineers in one weekend than I’ve met in my entire life. The conference connected me with GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor company, and I was offered a summer internship in their mechanical/tools division. I’m still considering my options and how this might fit into my schedule, but it’s exciting to have the opportunity! One of the highlights of the conference was a talk titled “You Won’t Find Your Life Purpose at 23,” where post-grads shared their experiences navigating early career challenges. It was reassuring to hear how they managed uncertainty and figured things out after graduation.
Academic excellence
Joining Rogue has been a pivotal experience that has profoundly shaped my academic, professional, and personal development. Prior to my involvement with the team, I had a strong interest in rocketry but lacked hands-on experience in the field. Collaborating on the design and construction of a motor-powered rocket with my peers has solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in aerospace engineering. On a practical level, my technical skills have grown exponentially as I have become proficient in using advanced tools such as laser cutters, Dremels, epoxy, and 3D. I am amazed at how far I’ve come since my first year at Tandon. I now have the ability to build a rocket backed by precise engineering calculations—something I never would have imagined just a semester ago.
Global Competency
One key component of the GLASS program is studying abroad during the spring of sophomore year. To develop a global understanding, I attended Politecnico di Milano as a Space Engineering Masters student. I took courses in public policy, technology evolution, astrophysics, and ethics while balancing a large agenda of travel. In my semester, I visited eight countries and met dozens of friends from around the world. Getting a glimpse of cultures outside of the US has helped me form a multi-faceted perspective to both engineering challenges and how I live my everyday life. Going completely alone, I was able to not only navigate the transition, but embrace every new experience to the fullest.
commitment to service
Moving to New York from North Carolina initially felt daunting. Back home, my mother and I would spend Saturday mornings volunteering in the community- packing food baskets for nursing homes, teaching STEAM lessons for elementary schoolers, and keeping our greenways clean. I knew once I came to Brooklyn I needed this engagement and interaction with my community to feel at home. I found a non-profit organization called the Brooklyn Book Bodega, and have been able to volunteer at community book festivals & their permanent space “the Hub”. Whether it be through festival crafts, or finding the right book to match a kid’s interest, I have found the same feeling I had with my mother back in NC.
Mia Andreu's Portfolio 