Bronte McKinnis (Chemical Engineering) (2025)

Summary

Bronte McKinnus, a fourth-year chemical engineering student from Portland, Oregon, shares her journey at Oregon State University. Initially drawn to oceanography, she discovered her passion for chemical engineering through a high school summer program. Bronte discusses the strong community within the chemical engineering department, her academic experiences, and her strategies for success, including study groups and office hours. She emphasizes the importance of research, joining clubs, and networking. As she prepares for graduate school, Bronte reflects on how her education shapes her environmental focus and the diverse career paths of her peers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bronte McKinnus is a fourth-year chemical engineering student from Portland, Oregon, with a strong interest in research.
• 😀 She initially considered oceanography but discovered her passion for chemical engineering through a high school summer program led by Dr. Skip Roachfort.
• 😀 The SESSI program allowed Bronte to explore chemical engineering research firsthand, helping her decide on her career path.
• 😀 Bronte plans to pursue a PhD program in chemical engineering, with Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Stanford, and CU Boulder as potential options.
• 😀 The chemical engineering community at Oregon State University (OSU) is described as supportive, with strong connections formed through the Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering (CBE) club.
• 😀 Bronte found physical chemistry and thermodynamics to be the most challenging courses but benefited from office hours, study groups, and helpful TAs and ULAs.
• 😀 She developed effective study strategies such as creating study sheets and attending office hours regularly, which helped her through difficult courses.
• 😀 Bronte discovered the value of joining study groups and attending SI (Supplemental Instruction) tables, which were particularly helpful in her first two years.
• 😀 The career paths of chemical engineering students at OSU vary, with some pursuing graduate school and others securing jobs through internships and career fairs.
• 😀 Bronte emphasizes the importance of participating in research programs like URSA Engage and joining clubs early on to build a supportive network, especially for first-year students.

Q & A

What initially inspired Bronte McKinnus to pursue chemical engineering?

Bronte was initially interested in oceanography, but a summer program for high school students at Oregon State University (OSU), where she participated in a chemical engineering lab, sparked her interest in chemical engineering. This experience, particularly the research aspect, motivated her to pursue it as a career.

How did Bronte find a sense of community during her time at OSU?

Bronte found a strong community through the Chemical, Biological, and Environmental Engineering (CBE) student club. The club allowed her to connect with fellow chemical engineering students, including those one grade above her. This network of friends and peers helped her feel part of a close-knit community throughout her academic journey.

What was Bronte's experience with difficult courses during her studies?

Bronte found courses like physical chemistry and thermodynamics to be challenging, especially in her junior year. However, she was able to overcome these challenges through effective study strategies and support from ULA (Undergraduate Learning Assistants) and TA (Teaching Assistants) office hours.

What were Bronte's most effective study strategies?

Bronte found that attending office hours, creating study sheets to summarize information, and forming study groups with her peers were some of the most effective study strategies for her. These strategies helped her better understand complex concepts and connect different parts of the course material.

How did Bronte's approach to office hours evolve during her time at OSU?

Initially, Bronte wasn't fully aware of the benefits of attending office hours, but by her sophomore year, she realized how helpful the ULA and TA office hours were. She found that participating in these sessions helped clarify concepts and improved her academic performance.

What resources did Bronte use to enhance her academic success?

Bronte used several resources, such as the Academic Advising Center, which helped her develop study plans, and SI (Supplemental Instruction) tables. These SI tables, especially useful in her first and second years, provided additional support outside regular office hours and played a key role in her academic progress.

What is the typical career path for chemical engineering students at OSU?

Chemical engineering students at OSU pursue various career paths. Some go on to graduate school for master's or PhD programs, while others find jobs through internships, many of which lead to full-time job offers. Some students opt for accelerated master's programs through OSU.

What types of career fairs are available to OSU students, and how are they useful?

OSU hosts an Engineering Career Fair, where chemical engineering students can network with industry representatives. Additionally, the CBE club hosts mini career fairs, which focus on industry-specific networking. These events are valuable for students looking for internships or full-time jobs after graduation.

What environmental concerns does Bronte remain passionate about, despite shifting her focus to chemical engineering?

Although Bronte shifted her focus from oceanography to chemical engineering, her passion for environmental issues, particularly in minimizing the environmental impact of materials production, remains strong. She continues to be interested in how research can help improve environmental stewardship, such as through sustainable materials.

What piece of advice did Bronte offer to first-year students, particularly those pursuing chemical engineering?

Bronte advises first-year students to get involved in research early, even if they are unsure about their interests. Programs like URSA Engage, which allow students to apply classroom knowledge in hands-on research, are a great starting point. Additionally, joining clubs early on helps build a support network that can be invaluable later on during difficult courses.