Chemical Engineering
Biography
My name is Nason Ruzecki, and I am a Chemical Engineering Major and member of the 2027 cohort of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (Heath IBEP) at the University of Tennessee (UT). As I embark on my first year in this program, I am eager to grow and develop through the lessons offered by IBEP.
Some of the most valuable lessons I've learned thus far came from my job during my freshman year. I worked as a foreman leading construction crews for a local insulation company in Knoxville while attending school during the week and working on weekends. Over the course of that year, I realized the importance of several core beliefs I developed growing up:
- The satisfaction that comes from hard work
- The value of integrity
- The significance of grit
In addition to these lessons, my experiences as an engineering student taught me to view failure as an opportunity to learn and adversity as a challenge to overcome. These experiences have shaped me into who I am today and broadened my understanding of what it means to work toward a goal or success.
I discovered the Heath IBEP program during my first semester at UT, and it piqued my interest immediately. The program’s emphasis on supplementing technical skills developed in engineering courses with a foundation in business and finance was one of its biggest attractions for me. Moreover, its hands-on projects designed to develop real-world communication, leadership, and networking skills presented an invaluable opportunity for growth.
My immediate professional goals include gaining experience through internships or co-op opportunities. I chose to study chemical engineering because I aspire to build a career in the energy industry focused on developing sustainable solutions for creating a low-carbon future. My primary interests lie within the oil and gas sector, particularly in projects involving synthetic gasoline synthesis and alternative fuels. As I progress through my studies and participation in the Heath IBEP program, I am excited about beginning my career with hopes of contributing to making cost-effective sustainable energy a reality.
