Q&A with M.Eng. graduate Ayush Patel

What motivated you to continue your graduate education in the ChBE M.Eng. program at Illinois?

I chose to continue my graduate education in the Chemical Engineering Leadership program because it offers something difficult to find elsewhere: a blend of advanced chemical engineering knowledge with industry-focused leadership training. As a full-time engineer, I saw firsthand how important strategic thinking, communication and cross-functional leadership are for career growth. The U. of I. MEng Leadership track provided a structured, academically rigorous way to strengthen those skills while still deepening my technical foundation. The program felt directly aligned with the challenges and responsibilities I want to take on in the next stages of my career.

You were quite busy as a full-time engineer at Intel during your studies. How did you manage your busy schedule? What did the program offer to help you navigate the curriculum and handle course sequencing?

Managing both full-time work and graduate study requires consistent planning and communication. At first, I had some difficulty because I held big responsibilities at work, but I learned to adapt and create a schedule that would help alleviate the workload. I also front-loaded assignments when I knew work would be heavier. The program’s organization made this much easier. Advisors provided clear course sequencing recommendations, helped me balance leadership electives with technical core courses, and checked in regularly with me as an online student. Many lectures and activities were structured to support asynchronous learning without sacrificing interaction or feedback. Overall, the program made it very manageable for someone working full-time.

What do you recommend for online M.Eng. students to get the most out of this learning experience? How can online students leverage departmental resources such as advising, career services and other opportunities?

For online students, my main advice is to engage as intentionally as possible. Leadership relies heavily on discussion, reflection and interaction. Even though I was unable to join the majority of virtual classes in real-time, I was able to collaborate with classmates to help facilitate a more nurturing academic experience. I also recommend taking full advantage of departmental advising. The advisors in this program are extremely invested in student success and can help tailor a course plan that fits both your schedule and your long-term goals. Career services resources were also highly useful even for someone already working full-time. Online students should not hesitate to use them.

Are there upcoming curriculum updates or course offerings that online students should be aware of?

I strongly believe that the technology entrepreneurship (TE) and business administration (BADM) courses, which are typically offered to graduate students in different departments, are a key asset of this program. Being able to bridge off the technical aspects of Chemical Engineering was a big highlight and a breath of fresh air because of how different
it was from undergraduate studies.

Do you feel this professional M.Eng. program is beneficial to your future career development? What aspects or training helped you the most?

Yes, this program was extremely beneficial to my career development. It helped me develop leadership skills that are directly relevant to industry: strategic thinking, communication with non-technical stakeholders, project scoping and decision- making under technical and organizational constraints. Courses like the Special Topics and Technology Entrepreneurship gave me tools that I now use every day in my role. Both of them complemented my technical background and prepared me for future roles that require both technical depth and the ability to guide teams and projects.

Do you think the time and financial commitments you have made in the last two years are worthwhile?

Absolutely! The leadership-focused curriculum, the flexibility for online students and the direct applicability of the skills made the investment worthwhile. Balancing work and school required discipline, but the program was structured in a way that supported busy professionals. I’ve grown meaningfully, both technically and as an engineering leader, and I believe the benefits will continue throughout my career.