Meet the Class of 2021: Brian Bogert
Brian Bogert
College of Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering
College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences, Political Science
"If a lot of people love each other, the world would be a better place to live." - Tommy Wiseau
Hometown: Chantilly, Virginia
Minor: Science, Technology, and Law (Intellectual Property Law); Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; and Mathematics
Fun fact about yourself:
I am listening through Rolling Stone magazine's Top 500 Albums of All Time, and I am over 300 albums in!
If you participated in an internship, what company was it for and what were your job responsibilities?
I interned at Capital One, using a management mindset to facilitate enterprise-wide compliance to recently introduced privacy guidelines. I also interned at the United States Postal Service, using data management and human factors ideals to improve front-end delivery technologies.
Which faculty member has made the biggest impact in your undergraduate education and how?
Dr. Kimberly Ellis: Her support for me during my tenure in Alpha Pi Mu has been nothing short of outstanding, and she has given me all sorts of advice that will help me in my future.
Aside from your classmates, what has been the best part of being an industrial and systems engineering major at Virginia Tech?
To be honest, it was the curriculum itself. Taking classes that actually align with my interests has made me a better student and, in turn, a better friend and leader.
What club or activity excites you most at Virginia Tech and why?
As much as I love IISE, Alpha Pi Mu is an excellent organization, one that I feel does not get enough credit. As president this past year, I more than doubled our membership count, led a complete revival of our organization, and instituted much more collaboration with other chapters.
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your student career so far?
This semester, I had the opportunity to create and lead the first ever National Officer Retreat for Alpha Pi Mu, to develop leadership skills amongst chapters and bring together the best and brightest in the society. Hopefully, this will encourage a much greater emphasis on inter-chapter collaboration in APM.
Did you get the chance to study abroad?
I had the chance to tour New Zealand for two weeks as part of the Rising Sophomore Abroad Program! It was an incredibly beautiful and exciting country, I made some great friends, and I learned a lot about engineering along the way!
What was your defining moment at Virginia Tech and how has it prepared you for your future career?
I would definitely have to say forming the study group that now constitutes some of my best friends ever. Those people helped me to come out my shell and become a more well-rounded person. For that, I am forever grateful.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be attending Northwestern University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences. I intend to conduct research on using decision analysis and operations research to improve efficiency in the federal bureaucracy.
Final Thoughts?
I will always appreciate this department for all the good it has brought to my life!