Rebecca Shedd

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I am currently working as an Air Quality and Noise Analyst for VHB in Watertown, MA. I work as a consulting engineer on environmental impact assessments related to air quality and noise emissions. My role in this work involves conducting noise measurements, developing modelings using GIS systems and evaluating impacts on nearby locations. I work on projects mainly located on the east coast of the United States and projects related to highway traffic, transit facilities, emergency generators, solar fields and construction noise. I am also currently pursuing a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE): Energy Infrastructure from the University of Washington, Seattle campus. I am completing this course work remotely while working my full time job.

I think that my academic experience at Saint Mike’s allowed me to have a variety in course work that I wouldn’t have had at other colleges. The courses required presentations, public speaking and writing skills that I use daily in my career. I learned a great deal about time management while balancing course work at Saint Mike’s and UVM simultaneously working part time.

One of my favorite memories was during a Geomatics lab my third year. A group of Saint Mike’s students, including myself, were taking this course at UVM that semester with a Friday morning lab. It was pouring rain during the outdoor lab and Professor Scott Hamshaw came over and was explaining the equipment, making sure our group had all the information needed to complete the lab successfully. In going over the information I explained that we were Saint Mike’s students doing the 3+2 program so we were commuting between campuses that semester for classes. He let us know that he too had done the program and told us all about his experience as well. I remember that class fondly and that lab particularly as it showed all of us that there are individuals who successfully completed this program and gave a perspective of what type of work they were doing and how they were able to get involved at both schools.

My advice for current students, particularly those involved in the 3+2 SMC+UVM program would be to really blend your two communities. Don’t be afraid to make friends with students in the engineering program at UVM, having friends in class and to study with will truly improve your transferring and transitioning experience. I would also encourage all students, regardless of their program, to get to know your professors and don’t be afraid to ask for help when something doesn’t quite make sense to you.