In This Issue
What's New with the IBE Major?
The Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies (IBE) major continues to thrive with nearly 100% placement and impressive professional growth among our alumni. This year, we bid farewell and best wishes to Dr. Diane Parente, founder of the IBE major, who retired after 25 years of dedicated service. Her contributions have been invaluable. We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Greg Dillon, who is retiring this year. Both have significantly shaped the program and its success.
This fall has been productive for professional development. The year-long IBE capstone course features three teams working on sponsored projects, including an entrepreneurial-focused one. Presentations will be showcased at the annual Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference in April. In addition, Erie Insurance and PCC Airfoils provided valuable sessions on service design and leadership development for the class.
In October, IBE Executive in Residence Matt MacBeth led a five-week virtual AI challenge workshop. The department also held the third annual IBE Day, featuring a panel of four alumni sharing their early career experiences and an open Q&A session.
Special thanks to Chelsea Grucza, our IBE student club president, for coordinating the content of this newsletter. Enjoy!
Carol Putman, Department Chair, Management and Interdisciplinary Programs
Student Spotlights
Chelsea Grucza, Dec '24
Chelsea is a senior majoring in Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies (IBE) with a dual major in Finance. She will graduate this December. Outside the classroom, she is actively involved in campus ministry, serves as a Business Ambassador, and is the outgoing president of the IBE Club.
What inspired you to attend Penn State Behrend, and how did you choose your major?
I had a strong connection to Penn State Behrend because I spent much of my childhood here and witnessed firsthand the opportunities the school offers. When selecting a major, I sought a program that would allow me to blend my interests in business and engineering. Behrend’s IBE program was the ideal choice, as it offered a unique combination of both fields. This ultimately influenced my decision to attend.
How have you grown or developed since starting at Behrend?
I have become more open to trying new opportunities, particularly those that challenge me. My coursework has helped me develop strong networking and public speaking skills, boosting my confidence in presenting myself effectively. Additionally, I have learned to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, which has empowered me to grow from setbacks and become more comfortable seeking help.
What are your aspirations or goals after graduation?
I had the opportunity to intern at Erie Insurance in the Experience Department, where I have accepted a full-time position and will continue the work I began during my internship. I look forward to rejoining the team and advancing the projects I worked on previously. While I will miss my time at Behrend, I am eager to embrace this new chapter in my career and the opportunities that are ahead of me.
Michael Del Signore
Michael is in his second year, majoring in IBE and Finance. He is involved with several organizations on campus, including Kappa Sigma, SGA, IBE Club, and Lion Ambassadors.
In his free time, he enjoys skiing and watching hockey.
What inspired you to attend Penn State Behrend, and how did you choose your major?
My main draw to Behrend was the IBE major, but once I got here, it was the support provided by the community and faculty. The Black School of Business’s commitment to student development is a significant part of the atmosphere.
Have you had the opportunity to participate in any internships or hands-on learning experiences related to your major?
I worked at Eriez Magnetics as a Global Operations intern, where I worked on two main projects. Both had legitimate value to the company and are still actively being used. I was also given the opportunity to spend time with different departments, which broadened my perspective of potential career paths.
Alumni Spotlights
Jon Battles ’20
Jon, who graduated with dual degrees in IBE and Finance, is currently an analyst for Ansys and was previously employed at PNC, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, and Life Science Connect.
What is your current role & what is your typical workday?
As an analyst at Ansys, I assist the Americas Sales Team with a special focus on the Canada and SMB sales regions. My role revolves around accurately forecasting regional sales, developing comprehensive twelve-month sales plans, and empowering the sales team to achieve their goals. I’m currently working on a lead routing process to better identify where a sales lead should go with a potential eight-figure impact on our Americas region.
A typical workday is anything but typical. One day, I might delve deep into data analysis, creating intricate spreadsheets to uncover market trends. The next day, I could be collaborating with the sales team at a quarterly business review, identifying roadblocks and brainstorming solutions to enhance productivity. This variety keeps me on my toes and continuously learning.
How did you find your current job?
I discovered my current job through proactive networking and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. Transitioning from my role as a financial analyst at PNC to a sales position at Ansys was a significant shift. Initially, the idea of sales was daunting, but after engaging with Ansys account managers and learning about their passion for solving client challenges, I realized this path aligned with my desire to make a tangible impact. Embracing this new direction broadened my skill set and opened doors to opportunities I hadn't considered previously.
What was your best experience as an IBE student?
Narrowing them down to one would have to be my IBE capstone project. We built a MASSIVE water flow loop and ultimately ran tens of millions of gallons of water through liquid flow meters to study their wear and tear.
What is your advice for current IBE students?
View college as the foundation for your professional life—make it as strong as possible. Go above and beyond in everything you do. Secure internships every summer to gain real-world experience and build your network. Forge meaningful connections with faculty; their mentorship can open doors you didn't know existed. Keep your GPA up; it reflects your dedication and can set you apart in competitive fields. These investments might seem small now, but they will pay significant dividends when you land your dream job.
Kylie Battles '20
Kylie, who graduated with dual degrees in IBE and Project and Supply Chain Management, is currently the marketing manager for the Academic and Startup Programs team at Ansys.
What is your current role and what is your typical workday?
My role involves managing a team responsible for building and executing comprehensive marketing plans, which include social media strategies, paid media campaigns, website and content development, customer success stories, data analytics, and more. We work closely with our corporate marketing team to ensure we’re executing these deliverables in alignment with broader company goals. No two days are the same in my role—which keeps things fun and interesting!
What came as the biggest surprise to you at your first post-Behrend job?
The biggest surprise for me was discovering that the professional world is an ongoing learning environment. I initially believed that seasoned professionals had all the answers and always knew exactly what they were doing. However, I quickly realized that no matter how experienced someone is, everyone is constantly learning and adapting. This insight helped me understand my value right from the start, allowing me to grow more quickly and build stronger relationships. I felt more confident in sharing my ideas and contributing to the team, knowing everyone is part of the same continuous learning process.
What is a skill you bring from your IBE major to your job?
The biggest skill I gained from the IBE major was problem-solving and the ability to quickly adapt. The program required me to transition between vastly different courses, like marketing and physics, and collaborate with diverse groups of people. This forced me to become flexible and effective in different project teams, tackling a variety of challenges. The hidden benefit of the IBE program was gaining a wide range of experiences with different types of students and solving problems in multiple domains. These skills have been incredibly valuable in my current role, where I navigate various projects and collaborate with teams across different functions.
What did you learn outside of class during college?
My interaction with a career counselor at the former Academic and Career Planning Center (now Career Services) was a turning point. He emphasized the importance of networking and practicing communication, which led me to attend my first career fair as a first-year student. Even though I didn’t have much experience, engaging with potential employers gave me invaluable confidence and networking skills. At the next career fair, I was much more prepared, which helped me secure my first internship. That experience taught me how critical networking and stepping outside my comfort zone can be.
IBE Club Update
The rebranding of NOBE to the IBE Club is aimed at enhancing the club’s visibility and aligning it more closely with our mission: to support IBE majors in establishing themselves as capable professionals. Our goal is to leverage the unique combination of business and technical skills that students develop through their IBE studies.
We believe this transition will be instrumental in attracting more IBE majors to join, providing them with opportunities to explore and celebrate the distinct advantages of the IBE major.
Recent Events:
- The IBE Club partnered with the Black School of Business and other Business clubs to provide students with a résumé event. The workshop had faculty members and club board members present to help review and revise student résumés in preparation for the Career and Internship Fair.
- IBE Club Board Members have had several meetings to discuss future events for the upcoming spring semester.
Upcoming Events:
- The IBE Club will host an introductory meeting to connect with IBE majors, present the new club rebranding, and gather insights on how students would like to maximize their experience with the club.
- Additionally, club members are planning an event to highlight each specific IBE module, helping students understand their unique features and determine which path aligns best with their goals. This event will also offer valuable insights into the career outcomes associated with each module, along with opportunities to network with business professionals.