From a challenging first year in college to working for a global climate innovator, Juan Zubieta, ’26, made the most of every opportunity at the University of Rhode Island to set himself up for success.
Zubieta, of Ibague, Colombia, knew he wanted to pursue a degree in industrial and systems engineering because of the broad spectrum of fields in which he can apply that knowledge and skill. “The degree program provided me with strong technical and analytical knowledge, as well as the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to make an impact in any industry,” said Zubieta.
Not only is URI’s College of Engineering one of the few schools in New England that offers that degree program, but it offers a wide range of student organizations and research opportunities Zubieta found appealing as well. “Those not only help students feel welcome but also supports their professional development. I believe these opportunities make the College of Engineering at URI unique and helps set students up for future success,” said Zubieta.
Getting from his first day as a freshman to graduation was not easy. “My first year was difficult due to the transition from high school in Colombia to college in the U.S.,” recalls Zubieta.
His math and science scores needed strengthening, and he needed to find a community that made him feel welcome and supported. The Academic Enhancement Center became a valuable resource for him to improve his math and science skills. Zubieta also partook in the Talent Development Program throughout all four years and says he is “extremely grateful for the opportunity.”
The program helped him and his family cover many educational expenses, allowing him to receive an education without having to worry about significant student debt.
Additionally, he joined the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, which he found to be the right place to find a community that made one feel welcome regardless of background. Being surrounded by other Hispanic students made him feel closer to home, even while so far from Colombia. “It helped me and many other students begin building social lives on campus,” said Zubieta.
He went on to lead multiple events and initiatives that promoted the growth and professional development of Hispanic students at URI through the organization. “I was grateful to grow within the organization from member to fundraiser chair, treasurer, and then president during my last year,” said Zubieta. “It taught me how to encourage collaboration, help others succeed, and create an environment where people could take pride in the organization’s mission and their contributions to it.”
He also conducted undergraduate research at the Engineering for Democracy Institute where he learned to apply statistical methods to help make election systems more efficient. His involvement with Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers along with the interest in statistics and data science he developed through democracy institute and his coursework, led him to the society’s national convention, where Trane Technologies recruited him as an intern. The company then hired him following graduation into its Accelerated Rotational Program in AI and Analytics.
“I hope to continue growing in a field that I am passionate about, develop my expertise in statistics and analytics, and eventually become a leader in the industry,” said Zubieta.