Alumni Spotlights Carrie Selski

Carrie Selski is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide and received her Masters in Systems Engineering recently. She currently works at KBR as a Senior Technical Professional – Systems Engineer.

Can you provide a brief synopsis of your current position?

I have been hired as a Senior Technical Professional – Systems Engineer. The responsibilities associated to this role include:

• Analyzing system architecture, interfaces, and integration;
• Understanding functionality in terms of performance and operational capabilities with respect to the external environmental and mission conditions;
• Proceeding to lower levels of system decomposition in terms of subsystem functional design and interfaces;
• Executing the completion of specific systems engineering deliverables while assisting higher-level engineers and program roles engaged in the project.

What has been your career path since graduating from Embry-Riddle?

Prior to the completion of my Capstone project I attended the President’s office hours to be connected to the Career Services office. My resume was updated to align with the industry expectations for a new Master’s graduate. I made sure to keep in touch with instructors from my program and was contacted with one of the professors in the Systems Engineering Master’s Program who was looking for new graduates. I was in email contact regarding my availability and willingness to relocate. I had a phone interview and submitted my resume. Over the course of a couple weeks, an offer letter was received and I moved forward immediately. Due to the current restrictions on travel, I worked remotely for a month prior to relocating from California to Maryland. I am now working from Maryland and look forward to going into the facility when things open back up.

What are your future plans?

I am taking advantage of the company connection to INCOSE and am studying for the ASEP exam. My plan is to continue participating in the company systems engineering academy program and include professional development goals to include learning tools and techniques the stakeholders and management find valuable.

What advice do you have for graduating students to be successful in the job search?

My advice would be to stay connected to your peers and professors. This is such a unique university that is connected all over the globe. Embry-Riddle has tools and networks that span industries and functions that should be leveraged to the full extent to not only stay connected to the school, but to also pursue your dream job. I would also recommend putting your final projects, including the Capstone work, into a portfolio to have available to show talents and proficiencies in tools and methodologies that can be referenced in interviews as well as to your management to pursue new opportunities and offer experience for other aspects of project or program work.

What advice do you have for current students to be successful in the job market?

My advice for current students would be to connect with your peers whom you work/worked with on projects in your classes to see if there are employee referral programs at their companies to help each other in applying the knowledge from ERAU to that company. It is also very helpful to tell professors you connect with that you are searching for a job to see if they know of any openings or if they have colleagues looking for students in addition to setting yourself up in a good position for when graduation is in sight. I would also advise to focus your electives on what you want to do in the job market. Those electives provide a unique opportunity to zero in on a specific portion of the job market or sector.

How do you utilize your network to help you in your career?

Without my ERAU network I would not have the opportunities I have now. My connection to my graduate advisor and first systems engineering professor has allowed me to find my dream job and pursue my goals. My network of peers from classes has helped me get advice on tips for relocating for a new job which has been incredibly helpful. I have upgraded my student membership of INCOSE to associate now that I am graduated and that allows me build upon the systems engineering network established during my time in the ERAU program.

How has your Embry-Riddle degree opened doors for you?

My ERAU masters degree is the reason I have landed where I have. It is a privilege to be an Eagle and utilize  the wide network the school has established worldwide. Each course in the program had elements that I referenced in my interview and included in my Capstone project. The degree has given me the knowledge needed to gain an instinctual understanding of what is required as a systems engineer that I can communicate with confidence everyday in the workplace. My future was unlocked with the incredible support of my professors, advisors, and the career services office.