Emily Stout has always found joy in learning. During her undergraduate graduation ceremony at Florida State University, in fact, she had an epiphany: she should earn a master’s degree.
But where? What program was the best fit? The answer, she said, prompted her to continue her education, donning orange and blue at the University of Florida’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, known as ISE.
At the FSU ceremony, Stout accepted her bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering. The epiphany hit as graduates were asked to take an oath.
“Once we got to the part of the oath that said we’re always going to be upholding the devotion to our profession, I was thinking about that sentence. To me, that means pursuing further education and making sure that when I do enter the industry, I have the deepest set of knowledge that I can set myself up for,” she said.
The Florida native was working in St. Augustine when she learned about UF ISE’s Outreach Engineering Management program, known as OEM. The program caters to working professionals seeking their master’s degree, offering an interdisciplinary curriculum and strengthening leadership and business skills.
“My first experience with the University of Florida and hearing about the master’s program was with Patsy Messinger, former OEM director,” said Stout. “She convinced me, a die-hard FSU girl. And I can say now I’m very glad she did.”
Stout began her master’s degree with OEM three months after her graduation, and one month into starting her first full-time position with Northrop Grumman as an associate industrial engineer. This is exactly what OEM is all about — helping people pursue the next level while making a difference in the professional world.
Since joining OEM and Northrop Grumman, Stout has been promoted to industrial engineer. Her new role explores site-wide data integration and manufacturing analytics for a dynamic manufacturing assembly line, supporting Northrop Grumman’s naval aircraft, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
“It’s super dynamic, and it’s changing every day,” said Stout. “I think that’s what’s so special about my job and why I’m so passionate about it. Every single day I come into new challenges, and I get the ability to think creatively and have that freedom to be a good engineer.”
As Stout heads toward spring graduation — this time in Gator Nation — she is eager to explore new opportunities that challenge her as a person and engineer.
“My career goal is to not get too comfortable,” said Stout.
Here, Stout shares her graduate experience as a Florida Gator:
What has been one of your most rewarding experiences?
OEM, Class of 2027. My cohort is absolutely incredible. I am the youngest person in the cohort at 23, and a lot of them are already further along in their careers. From the very beginning, they’ve made me feel so welcome. They make me feel like I have a seat at the table with them. Even when they’re poking fun at me for being an FSU alum, we still have amazing relationships, and those relationships are definitely the most rewarding for me.
Who has made a significant impact on your experience?
From meeting Patsy Messinger to the professors in ISE, a few that stand out to me are Jorge Sefair [Ph.D.], and Mengyu Li, Ph.D. It’s proof that the ISE department at UF holds high standards, not only for students, but for its professors. I knew immediately after just meeting them that UF was the place to be for my master’s.
How has ISE supported you on this journey?
The professors are amazing. Most of my cohort is working full-time and balancing their master’s degree, and our professors are just so considerate. They are very understanding when we need to put our lives and careers first. They have special nighttime office hours for us, pulling time out of their busy, full-time schedules to accommodate students that are working full-time. From a technical standpoint, ISE at UF ensures that we think outside the box, and I would say the classes are similar to undergrad. The difference is they allow us to bring our new perspectives and to challenge even what the professors are teaching us. When I think of how ISE has supported me, they’ve challenged me in ways that I’ve never been challenged before and they want me to step out of the status quo, not only in my studies, but when I work in the industry.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love soccer. I was on the club team at Florida State, and after graduating, having to step away and not be an athlete for the first time was new for me. I’m trying to get new hobbies outside of school. I also love to study and read.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering a graduate degree?
ISE at UF is definitely creating the next generation of engineers who are not afraid to make their mark and challenge the norms. I think choosing to pursue a master’s degree with UF is choosing to invest in your future as not only a skilled engineer, but an honest one.