Biography
Ron spent eighteen聽years as a mechanical engineer in the data storage industry, where much聽of his聽time was spent in design. He made a successful career pivot to full-time teaching and leadership coaching in 2015, after finishing his ME in Engineering Management degree in 2015.聽Ron currently teaches several leadership courses for the Engineering Management Program.
Q&A
What made you decide to pursue a degree or certificate in Engineering Management?
It started as just a "check that box" exercise, and blossomed into a career transformation. The courses in the EMP changed who I am, and were directly applicable to my everyday job.
Why did you choose the Engineering Management Program at CU Boulder?
Location. I was working in Boulder and desired in person classes.
How did the program help you in your career?
It changed me as an Engineer. I never had a desire to lead or manage. The program was the catalyst for taking on more leadership opportunities and eventually a career change.
What was your favorite graduate EMEN class/professor? Why?
EMEN 5050. Dr. Barbara Lawton, now retired. She inspired me to become who I am today. I now teach the same course that sparked that change, and try to do the same for my students.
What advice would you give a new student in the program?
Engage with your professors and your classmates. The best value add you get from a program like this is to leverage the people in it, and build relationships.
How would you summarize your experience with the program?聽
Life changing.
Are there any other comments that you'd like to share?聽
What I enjoyed most about the program was relevance to my everyday job. I could take what I had learned in the classroom and immediately apply it to what I was doing as an Engineer. There is no "fluff" in this program. It's all worthwhile.