Source: news.engineering.arizona.edu
ARIZONA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING NEWS
Q&A With Ariel Shaver: From Astronomy to Engineering, and Beyond
Senior talks about how she found her groove in systems engineering, from struggling in her first physics course to landing a NASA internship, a national fellowship and a spot in grad school at Georgia Tech.
Systems engineering senior Ariel Shaver is a 2022 Mattthew Isakowitz Fellow, with plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology for graduate school in the fall.
Ariel Shaver is a systems engineering senior who was recently selected for the 2022 Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship. Over the summer, she’ll be a systems engineering intern at Hedron, helping develop a satellite infrastructure that aims to transform real-time transmission capabilities between ground and orbit.
In the fall, she’s heading to the Georgia Institute of Technology to earn her master’s degree in aerospace engineering and work as a graduate research assistant in the Aerospace System Design Laboratory.
Why did you choose to study engineering at the University of Arizona?
My high school astronomy teacher suggested a summer camp taking place in Tucson, an area of the country I had never visited. That summer program was run by Dr. Don McCarthy, who inspired me to study astronomy and is one of my greatest mentors to this day.
I switched to systems engineering my sophomore year. As I learned more information in my first year, I realized that engineering would give me the tools to build the type of career I was interested in. Systems engineering teaches a big picture approach, which aligns well with my natural way of thinking and curiosity about the world. It’s a way of organizing your thoughts to reach an optimal decision or design, and I knew I could use my knowledge in this field for a variety of applications.
What is your favorite memory so far from your time at the UA?
My freshman year, I dramatically failed my first physics exam. It was the first time I had received a grade like that, and for the rest of the semester, I markedly altered my study habits. I have a very distinct memory of leaving that class’s final, the last exam of the year, feeling relieved to at least be done. I scored an A on that final exam. Through that experience, I unlocked some inner confidence. (Thanks for your help, Dr. Burant!)
Tell us about your NASA internship!
In summer 2021, I worked as a project systems engineering intern at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I worked on a mission called SPHEREx, an all-sky spectral survey set to gather information about galaxy formation and the state of the early universe. My primary assignment was to create a Python script for updating requirements in a project-wide database, while gathering input from a future end user.
There, I became particularly interested in learning about early concept design and the methodologies used to narrow a broad question to a solvable problem. From my time at JPL, I have a better idea of the variety and breadth of roles that systems engineering takes on throughout the project lifecycle. I’m so grateful for the incredible lessons from my leader, Jennifer Rocca, about developing yourself by gathering insight from others. I was encouraged (and required!) to seek out meetings with scientists, engineers, and managers from all over the lab, and gained some invaluable mentorship along the way.
What inspired you to apply for the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program? What kind of work will you be doing in your placement?
I first heard about this fellowship through my involvement in Students for the Exploration and Development of Space club. The first time I applied, I was not accepted. But this year, I felt more sure of myself as a candidate as well as aligned with the missions of the participating host companies. I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to experience work in a startup environment at Hedron and add some valuable experiences to my toolbox.
What do you hope to do in the future?
I have a variety of interests, including astronomy, business and environmentalism. The lab I’m joining at Georgia Tech works on a huge variety of topics – from cislunar space missions to digital engineering of aircraft. I would like to learn to optimize the experience of users by considering their role earlier on in mission formulation.
I am so excited to build the next generation of well-designed systems in the aerospace industry, and I’m keeping an open mind about where my next steps will lead me. I believe that commercial space has the power to create jobs, concrete scientific advancements, and technology that betters day-to-day life on Earth. There is so much we would not understand about our home planet without the technologies developed around space exploration. There is no place like Earth (at least not one we can reach yet), and enabling humankind to thrive here is and will be a top priority in the decades to come.
My interest in business comes from the need for future leaders to be savvy in resource management. I lean in toward leadership roles in course projects and my extracurriculars, and hope to enter a management track in my career.
What do you like to do outside of school?
I love my role as the external professional development lead officer in the Society of Women Engineers, and I am excited to pass off this integral part of my college experience to the next generation of undergraduates. In my free time, I like calling my family on the phone to ask for advice, hanging out with friends, hiking painting, and cooking. I’m already reminiscing on the times I’ve spent and challenges I’ve faced alongside amazing friends here.
What advice do you have for students considering studying engineering?
It is okay to be flexible and change your mind once you gain more information.
If you don’t know, just ask!
You don't have to look or work like every other student in your class to be successful.
Know when “good enough” is better than “perfect” – balance is key!
Measure progress against yourself and no one else.
Do not be afraid to put yourself out there for rejection and constructive criticism, because moving out of your comfort zone is the quickest way to develop strengths you didn’t even know existed.