More Than A Program
ISyE senior Zaid Dameh exclaims, “It’s just amazing, and we are a tight-knit group and family! And as a department, as a whole, it just feels right!”
During his senior year at Rosemount High School, Dameh had the opportunity to take PSEO courses through the University of Minnesota. It was during this time that he solidified the desire to continue his education in a STEM field, and with the majority of his family being engineers, he understood the power of the degree. He, however, knew he didn’t want to enter a field that kept him in a particular industry. Dameh explored more ISyE courses and saw the marketability of the degree.
“With the way manufacturing is going in the U.S., a lot of future factors play into the need for more Industrial Engineering positions, so the needs are very promising.”
As his years progressed in the program, Dameh was able to combine his interests with his projects required in courses such as Project Management. In this course, students are given the opportunity to choose a project regardless of scope and implement it by the end of the semester. Taught by ISyE Teaching Assistant Professor Kathryn Wust, Dameh and his Project Management team worked directly with the Eagan YMCA - the same YMCA where he worked during his high school years - to raise $800 worth of funds and equipment with the help of donations and other fundraisers, as well as through generous donations from the University of Minnesota basketball team.
Along with Project Management, Dameh also took Systems 1 and 2, and the Senior Design project, all taught by Wust.
“She teaches big picture engineering,” explains Dameh. “She focuses on philosophies, documentation, and ultimately, how to think effectively.”
Dameh also recalled Teaching Associate Professor Darin England’s courses, Engineering Economics and Decision Analysis, fondly.
“[Professor England] is very engaging and his curriculum has helped me understand aspects of engineering outside of the usual scope.”
Dameh remarks that almost all of the courses in the ISyE give students the opportunity to work with industry professionals and in group projects. They are personalized, and the professors are helpful and receptive to feedback. They make sure that the curriculum adapts to what is happening in industry, and they are “future-proofing” the curriculum. This leads to working on the Senior Design Project, which allows students to take all of their learned skills to solve a real-world problem.
(You can learn more about Dameh’s Senior Design Project with Medtronic on page 10)
During his time in the department, Dameh accomplished more than a degree; he immersed himself in the University and all the department has to offer.
As the outgoing President of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities chapter (IISE-UMN-TC), Dameh knows the impact of finding a good group in which to be involved. IISE-UMN-TC is a student group that helps students engage with industry professionals and peers to provide general events, career resources, and peer and professional mentorship opportunities. It is also one of the most established IISE groups in the Midwest.
“IISE is a really good group of people who are choosing to spend their time with each other. The meetings are always filled with positive energy, and there is so much knowledge going around. Upperclassmen have a lot of knowledge, so it's a good opportunity to hand down the knowledge to the next generation.”
Dameh has made such an indelible impression on the community that he has been the recipient of various scholarships and awards recognizing his accomplishments as a student and leader, including the ISyE Eliason scholarship, the ISyE Community scholarship, and the President's Student Leadership and Service Award.
Continuing on with the Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s in ISyE program, Dameh will stay in the ISyE for an additional year to complete his Master’s degree.
“The M.S. program is at the forefront of problem-solving for the future. With a focus on machine learning and data science principles, the degree sets you apart and equips you with great skills. It also enhances the undergrad program and makes you more well-rounded and prepared for future success.”
For Dameh, the ISyE department has taught him to be a problem solver. Whether these problems are regarding technical, business, supply chain, the program has prepared him for any industry, and the collaborative environment and positive energy established in ISyE is what made the department more than a program.