Kirsten Bednarz at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia
With the opportunity to pair her personal interests with a master’s program in just five years, BS/MS Chemical Engineering Senior Kirsten Bednarz is a true renaissance person. With a minor in math, a passion for dance and a desire to empower others, Bednarz is able to say she’s fulfilled after five years at Drexel.
“The opportunity to add on a lot of different coursework has impacted me in a great way. The fact that I’m able to study for both my Masters and my undergrad in Chemical Engineering is pretty rewarding,” said Bednarz. “When I initially came to Drexel, the thought of doing a Master’s degree felt a bit out of reach, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle it. But once I started doing undergrad, I realized it was more of an opportunity to challenge myself academically.”
Bednarz notes how thankful she is to have been able to expand her degree through her minor in math. She has spent her time at the university participating in all her favorite academic classes, and notes how valuable it is to be a part of the math department even without the major.
“Math and Chemical Engineering actually work really well together! I think I was the only student in my class who had a math minor, and I found it gave me an advantage especially in a lot of my grad courses. I loved being able to do everything I wanted to do—I wasn’t limited in any way.”
Along with her added minor, Bednarz has also been a part of numerous student clubs and organizations, including both the Drexel Dance Ensemble and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). In the Dance Ensemble, Bednarz was able to continue a passion she’s held since her youth, but take it to the next level through her introduction to the world of modern dance. Even when she wasn’t able to be a part of the ensemble due to time commitments with other academic obligations, she took advantage of dance classes offered by the university to earn credits toward her degree.
“With Drexel, there’s so many opportunities. As long as you can manage your time well and understand your limits, you really can do whatever you want,” Bednarz noted. “Dancing was especially nice because it was the best stress reliever. It’s great to have a creative outlet like that, and to just be able to move around and feel good.”
Throughout her years, Bednarz also held a secretarial position with AIChE. She was able to make a lot of friends in her major through this opportunity, as well as network with older students who were able to offer her guidance and advice as a younger student. One of her favorite events every year was Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day during Engineers Week in the winter term.
“All the organizations and majors in the College of Engineering have a big showcase with booths and activities. They bring in girls from local schools, and we get to show them what we do, which is really cool,” Bednarz recalls. “It’s nice to be that role model for someone else, especially because I didn’t have someone like that when I was younger. It’s nice to hopefully inspire younger girls interested in the field.”
“With Drexel, there’s so many opportunities. As long as you can manage your time well and understand your limits, you really can do whatever you want.”
Kirsten Bednarz
It’s these experiences that allow Bednarz a unique point of view as a Chemical Engineering student. Her positivity and optimism pushes her to want to try new things, just for the sake of learning her limits. This attitude paired perfectly with co-op, as it assisted her in discovering exactly what she wants to do post-graduation.
“I did two of my Co-Ops in the pharmaceutical industry, and then I did my third Co-Op in the oil industry, just to try something different. I feel like you can’t be a Chemical Engineer unless you try working in the oil industry,” Bednarz started, “And honestly, I hated it. But that was good! I’m glad I tried it-- I do not regret anything. It solidified what I wanted to do, which was the best outcome. I was a Process Engineer, and the work itself was fulfilling, but I was happier with my positive experiences in the pharmaceutical industry. I was really proud of what I accomplished in my Vaccine Manufacturing role with Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals, and I’m happy to say that’s what I’ll be doing full-time after graduation.”