Industrial Engineering
Biography
Hello! My name is Ashlyn Dewey, and I am an industrial engineering student from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. On a more personal note, I consider myself an adventurer, learner, advocate, and friend. As someone who has always been naturally reserved, I have made it a lifelong goal to become comfortable with discomfort. This commitment has led me to develop my leadership skills, build confidence, gain valuable experiences, and create lasting friendships. While I have grown more at ease in social settings, this aspect of my personality has also shaped many of my personal strengths. One of these strengths is my ability to observe and understand other people’s thoughts and emotions. This awareness allows me to collaborate effectively and manage conflict within team environments. Another key strength is my dedication and love of learning—I actively seek opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally every day.
During high school, I was deeply involved in DECA, a business organization that ignited my passion for business—particularly marketing. When I first enrolled at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as a freshman, I chose marketing as my major. However, as someone who has always enjoyed challenging STEM courses, I found myself missing the technical aspects of my education. That’s when I discovered industrial engineering—a field that combines both the technical and human sides of industry. The opportunity to integrate these elements into my future career aligned perfectly with my goals, so I decided to change my major to industrial engineering.
Later on, I learned about the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program and its unique interdisciplinary opportunities. The program’s emphasis on mentorship, guest speakers, site visits, and cross-functional projects immediately appealed to me. What drew me most to Heath IBEP was its focus on applying classroom concepts to real-world scenarios while developing essential industry skills.
Currently, I am interested in pursuing roles in ergonomics and human factors, design and manufacturing engineering, or engineering management within the industry. My ultimate goal is to contribute to product design and development at a company whose values align with my own. Such a role would allow me to combine my creativity with my problem-solving mindset—leading to long-term professional fulfillment.
