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IE Alum Moonsammy Leverages Cullen Background for Success
By
Alex Keimig
Industrial Engineering alum Sharon Moonsammy graduated from the Cullen College of Engineering in Spring 2024.
Industrial Engineering alum Sharon Moonsammy graduated from the Cullen College of Engineering in Spring 2024.
Moonsammy served as a teaching assistant for the IE department in addition to her other academic accomplishments.
Moonsammy served as a teaching assistant for the IE department in addition to her other academic accomplishments.
Moonsammy served as Activities Coordinator for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) (above, below)
Moonsammy served as Activities Coordinator for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). (above, below)
Moonsammy served as Activities Coordinator for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).

Recent graduate Sharon Moonsammy collected quite a few accomplishments over the course of earning her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, including being named an outstanding senior in spring 2024, serving as an Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers officer and a teaching assistant for the IE department, and receiving multiple internship and full-time offers for employment.

Moonsammy shares a bit more about her experiences at the University of Houston in her own words below.

I immigrated with my family from Venezuela to Houston back in January of 2017. I enrolled in ESL classes at Lone Star College -Cy Fair to learn English and prepare for my academic endeavors. After a year and a half of language studies, I was able to enroll in college courses and successfully obtained my Associate of Science from Lone Star College - Cy Fair with Summa Cum Laude honors in the Spring of 2021. By the following Fall, I transferred to the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston to pursue my Industrial Engineering degree. The reason I chose the University of Houston for my education was that it allowed me to stay close to my family while still attending a great and highly rated university. 

I chose to pursue a degree in engineering at University of Houston – specifically, Industrial Engineering – because it is a degree that offers a unique blend of technical skills and business insights. Industrial engineers are trained to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance productivity across various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, finance, and consulting. This versatility opens a wide range of career opportunities; with a strong foundation in both engineering principles and management practices, industrial engineers are well-positioned to lead and innovate in diverse professional settings.

My time at the Cullen College of Engineering was instrumental in shaping my professional career. The curriculum and hands-on projects provided a solid foundation in engineering and problem-solving skills. The collaborative environment encouraged teamwork and communication skills, which are crucial in any professional setting. Additionally, the opportunities to find internships and networking with industry professionals in career fairs and student organization events gave me practical experience and connections that have been invaluable in my career.

One of the most significant experiences was my capstone project, where my team and I collaborated with Siemens Energy to implement laser scanning technology in their service centers globally. This project allowed us to apply our technical knowledge to a real-world application, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in their operations.

The faculty in the Industrial Engineering department were always incredibly supportive, offering guidance and mentorship that went beyond the classroom.

During my time at the University of Houston, I had the opportunity to be the Activities Coordinator for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). It was a fulfilling experience organizing events and getting everyone involved. I also spent two years as a Teaching Assistant for Engineering Statistics I, where I enjoyed helping students by answering their questions and clarifying difficult concepts.

One of the highlights for me was being recognized as the Outstanding Junior (2023) and Senior (2024) in Industrial Engineering. It felt amazing to have my hard work acknowledged. These experiences were incredibly rewarding and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

As a Manufacturing Engineer Intern at Powell Industries, I used Power Platform to digitize and automate daily timesheet entries, streamlining the process and benefiting many departments in the organization. I identified the necessary resources and created detailed work instructions for training and implementation of the new tool. This project ultimately saved the company a considerable amount of time. This role allowed me to enhance my technical skills and contribute to operational efficiency.

I also interned and accepted a full-time job with KPMG in their Economic and Valuation services practice. In my current role as an Associate in Tangible Assets Valuations at KPMG, I conduct appraisals of fixed assets for financial and tax reporting purposes utilizing desktop modeling tools and conducting online research. Having an engineering background is helpful in this role because we value industrial machinery and equipment in different industries. This role allows me to combine analytical skills with financial and industry specific knowledge making it a highly enriching experience. 

Moonsammy offers the following advice to her fellow Coogs and emerging professionals:

I would advise students to start building their professional network early. Connect with alumni, attend networking events, and join student organizations. The connections they make can open doors and provide valuable insights. Lastly, make the most of internships. They offer hands-on experience and help you figure out what you enjoy and what you don't, which is crucial for your future career. 

 

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