Meet the Class of 2021: Morgan Weis

Morgan Weis

College of Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Minor: Business

Fun fact about yourself: I danced for 18 years!

If you participated in an internship, what company was it for and what were your job responsibilities?

The summer of 2019, I interned for PSMi in a GM transmissions manufacturing facility in Toledo, Ohio. One of my favorite projects I worked on included optimizing the corporate warehouse layout. The summer of 2020, I interned as a Walmart Supply Chain Engineer out of DC 6020 in Brooksville, Florida. I worked to increase the number of pallets loaded onto an outgoing trailer, and to increase the number of cases loaded on manually built pallets.

Which faculty member has made the biggest impact in your undergraduate education and how?

Dr. Robert Hildebrand made the biggest impact in my undergraduate education as he really fostered an environment that made me want to learn out of sheer curiosity, and not just for the grade. His excitement and love for teaching made the whole class excited to learn, and really made me fall even more in love with ISE.

However, I would be remiss if I did not mention Dr. Natalie Cherbaka, as she also had a major impact in my undergraduate education. All of the work I have done thus far in the very beginning of my career, I can owe to all the classes Dr. Cherbaka has taught. I love talking to her about experiences and advice outside of the classroom, and look up to her as a mentor in the profession.

Aside from your classmates, what has been the best part of being an industrial and systems engineering major at Virginia Tech?

The best part about being an Industrial & Systems Engineer is that you can do anything! Every single industry is in need of an ISE if they intend on growing or bettering themselves, so opportunities are literally boundless. You can switch industries in the blink of an eye and learn something completely different than you know.

What club or activity excites you most at Virginia Tech and why?

The activity I participated in at VT that was most exciting to me was serving as the VP of Finance for IISE. I loved the experience, learned more than I could have ever imagined, and developed an appreciation for all the handwork that goes into an organization of that size. I am thankful for the experience and to start giving back to the community that gave me so much.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your student career so far?

My biggest accomplishment that I am most proud of is landing myself an internship at Walmart that positioned me to receive a full time offer upon graduation. The interview process was the most detailed I'd done to date, requiring a double case study presentation. My ISE courses had thoroughly prepared me for the case studies I'd received and work I performed throughout my summer experience. I came to college with my eyes set on a prestigious full-time job offer at the end of my four years that excited me for my future, and I was able to make that dream come true with my hard work and the help of my professors, peers, and department.

What was your defining moment at Virginia Tech and how has it prepared you for your future career?

My defining moment at VT happened freshman year when I decided to purse ISE as opposed to civil engineering. I was in Galipatia and had to go to a slush rush. I coincidentally ended up at a slush rush that Dr. Van Aken attended. At this point, I had an inkling that maybe ISE was more for me, but I wanted to talk with someone in both departments to make a final decision. My conversation with a man in the civil engineering department was lackluster, especially in contrast to the conversation I had with Dr. Van Aken (who at the time, I didn't even know was the department head) who made me feel so welcomed! I knew just by the people I would be interacting with in the ISE department, it was the right fit for me. Since that time, I have never looked back and am so thankful to have had that conversation that lead me to finding what I am passionate about.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be returning to Walmart as a Supply Chain Field Engineer based out of DC 6039 in Midway, Tennessee!