Today, we speak to David Aguirre, a Chemical Engineering major and transfer student from Mount Laurel, NJ (Burlington County). He transferred to Rowan from Rowan College at Burlington County. David tells us more about his time at Rowan so far and where he sees himself after he graduates.
Tell us a little bit about your favorite class at Rowan so far.
My favorite class so far is Chemical Process Component Design (CPCD). It’s a senior-level class where we apply many of the concepts and techniques from previous courses to perform sizing and specification of commonly-used process equipment. It’s really cool to see how everything we learn in the curriculum builds upon itself and comes together in other courses.
Could you share with us one moment during your time at Rowan that made you feel inspired or confident that you’re in the right field for you?
A moment where I really felt confident and inspired in my field was when my clinic partner and I were awarded the 2020 Excellence in Process Design and Development Award for our clinic project on experimental design and development during the Spring Department Award ceremonies.
What has been one aspect of Rowan that you’ve enjoyed so far, or one happy thing about Rowan that surprised you?
What really surprised me was all the friends I would make. As a transfer student, I was afraid that everyone already had their group of friends and I wouldn’t have anywhere to fit in. I was wrong. In my first class at Rowan, I recognized a student from my county college who also transferred for chemical engineering and we hit it off. Later, during team projects, I made more friends and then met their friends. Now I live right off-campus with three other friends that I have met here. So if you’re reading this and you are a transfer student, get out there, ask someone for homework help, even if you don’t need it, strike up a conversation, and make friends.
Why continue with your education this year instead of taking a gap year (skipping a year)?
I’ve got a lot of momentum right now, so I didn’t see a reason to take a break. I know that currently we’re in a pandemic, but I’m not going to let that slow me down. Rowan University has taken great steps to keep everyone safe and many of my professors have adapted to online or hybrid classrooms very well.
What are your professional goals? And how is Rowan helping to support you in those goals?
I am graduating this spring and I hope to find a job as a process engineer. The clinics offered as part of the engineering curriculum really helped me build up my resume with relevant experience that employers are looking for.
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Story by:
Bianca Torres, senior music industry major
Photography by:
Joe Gentempo, senior art major
We are #RowanPROUD to be included on Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2021 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes select nationwide colleges and universities that foster dynamic pathways for transfer students.