Transfer student Blair Hall’s journey began right down the road at Spelman College, one of Atlanta’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Spelman’s unique Dual Degree Engineering Program allowed her to complete an economics degree before joining Tech as an MSE undergraduate student.
Blair sat down with us to discuss how she navigated the transition from a small liberal arts college to a busy, STEM-focused campus.
Blending Business and Engineering: The Dual Degree Approach
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Blair enrolled at Spellman in 2019. Like many first-year students, she didn’t have a set career path in mind when she arrived in Atlanta. She initially decided to major in economics because it seemed like a practical and safe option.
During her coursework at Spelman, she discovered a passion for materials science and manufacturing. One pivotal project allowed her to explore natural and sustainable fabric dye methods. She explains, “When we dispose of our old clothes, they end up in landfills, and the dyes leech into ecosystems and waterways. It’s very harmful. Also, a lot of people have skin sensitivities that get triggered by traditional dyeing methods. One of my goals is to develop healthier, more environmentally friendly alternatives to fast fashion.”
Blair’s interest in textiles led her to the Dual Degree Engineering Program. As she researched the colleges partnered with Spelman, she quickly realized Tech was the best fit. “Georgia Tech was the only school that offered undergraduate and graduate courses in materials science,” she notes. “I knew that the MSE program was the only place where I could grow and deepen my knowledge of textiles.”
As a Tech student, Blair’s seemingly unrelated background as an economics major has proven to be a major asset. “There’s always going to be a business side to engineering, and many engineers move into management positions,” she says. “Knowing the ins and outs of both sides is the perfect mesh.”
Finding a Village at Tech
Only a few miles separate Tech and Spelman, but the campus vibes couldn’t be more different.
“Spelman is a very small, all-women HBCU with 2,100 students,” Blair explains. “I was used to everyone in my classroom looking like me. Then, I came to Tech, which is a much bigger campus with over 40,000 students from different backgrounds. It was a little bit of a culture shock.”
However, the campus culture soon grew on Blair: “I really enjoy it here because it’s a melting pot of cultures. I’ve been able to work with a lot of people who come from different backgrounds and approach problems differently than I do.”
Building community helped smooth Blair’s transition from Spelman to Tech. She began attending the African American Student Union’s meetings, where she quickly found a friendly village. She’s also helped form an informal support group for Black MSE students.
Additionally, Blair credits the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for helping her acclimate to Tech. “I’m a Fall 2023 initiate,” she explains. “The sorority sisters welcomed me with open arms when I arrived on campus, so there was no doubt in my mind about joining. Since then, so many doors have opened for me through networking with my sorority sisters.” One of these sisters is Tristen Jones, MSE’s Education Outreach Manager and a mentor to Blair.
Blair especially enjoys participating in the sorority’s many community service events. For example, she’s assisted in the campus garden and helped new students during move-in days. The sorority has also created stuffed animals and other projects at the Hive Makerspace.
“My biggest advice to new transfer students is to go out and find out what Tech has to offer,” Blair reflects. “These communities aren’t going to come to you, but they’ll welcome you if you’re willing to reach out.”
Building Expertise in Materials Science and Engineering
Tech’s rigorous MSE program has allowed Blair to step outside her comfort zone and gain expertise in textiles and other areas. A few pivotal experiences have shaped her professional development.
Blair cites Professor Robert Speyer’s Thermodynamics class as one of her most challenging yet beneficial courses. “Dr. Speyer taught us how to think like engineers when approaching a problem,” she recalls. This mindset has helped Blair tackle challenges in other courses and internships.
During the summer of 2023, she completed an internship with Middle River Aircraft Systems in Maryland. She says, “I tested different composite materials to help the company develop airplane parts more efficiently.”
This summer, Blair is interning at Arxada, a chemical engineering plant in Conley, Georgia. She performs efficiency tests for the company. Both internships have allowed her to explore new career paths and learn more about her interests.
“These internships have taught me not to be so close-minded,” she explains. “Just go out and apply for new things to get experience. That’s how you figure out what you like, but it’s also how you figure out what you don’t like.”
Lessons Learned as an MSE Transfer Student
After completing her first year at Tech, Blair has plenty of advice for students interested in transferring to the MSE program.
Striking a balance between work and play is one of her biggest recommendations. “We work really hard at Tech, but we also know how to have a great time,” she says. “Just have fun inside and outside the classroom, and don’t stress yourself out too much. There will also be somebody there to help you, like a professor or on-campus counseling resources.”
Blair also encourages transfer students to take advantage of MSE’s tight-knit community. “MSE is small but mighty. Because we’re so small, we have to stick together. I’m always asking somebody to help me and giving help to others. Just having that bond with each other means a lot.”