Meet the Class of 2021: Bryce Kuyper

Bryce Kuyper

College of Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein

Hometown: Divide, Colorado

Minor: Business

Fun fact about yourself: I have climbed 5 mountains higher than 14,000 feet in elevation!

If you participated in an internship, what company was it for and what were your job responsibilities?

I worked for the Logistics Management Institute as a data engineering co-op. I worked on technical data management and built web tools for data manipulation.

Which faculty member has made the biggest impact in your undergraduate education and how?

Dr. Kimberly Ellis, my senior design advisor, was instrumental in encouraging me and my team to think creatively, and she helped show me how my degree could usefully be applied to solve a real company's challenges. She was inspirational in helping me to believe in myself and to enjoy life.

Aside from your classmates, what has been the best part of being an industrial and systems engineering major at Virginia Tech?

Our ISE major is connected to many professional events and activities, so I think the best part of being in this community is getting to see all the interesting research that happens, and learn from it. I went to several IISE conferences and competitions, and I think those trips were some of the best parts of being in our major.

What club or activity excites you most at Virginia Tech and why?

I really am excited to go to IISE events, because the ISE community is close-knit and knows how to mix business skills with engineering skills to teach us to thrive in the workplace. IISE really puts on great social, professional, and certifications events, and I have been glad to be a part of the club for four years.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your student career so far?

My biggest accomplishment as a student at Virginia Tech has been completing the goal that I set out as I entered college, to get above a 3.9 GPA. This number is the culmination of a multitude of classes and experiences, and I am proud to have achieved this through hard work, and some good luck.

Did you get the chance to study abroad? 

I went on the Rising Sophomore Abroad Program, which was an engineering trip to Europe, where we learned about global engineering and how the industry works throughout the world. It was a privilege to see ancient architecture and taste fine wine in Italy, see the green countryside and tour a hydroelectric facility in Switzerland, and finish our trip in Munich, seeing the BMW factory & museum. Overall, this was an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.

What was your defining moment at Virginia Tech and how has it prepared you for your future career?

My defining moment was getting accepted and following through with a co-op through Virginia Tech's Engineering Expo. This was the moment when I finally decided to blend my academic knowledge with real-world experience, and it has served me well. Coming back from a co-op helped me see applications of the remaining classes I was in, and think about academics and careers from a completely new perspective.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be starting work for Alpine Consulting, a small consultancy located in Washington, D.C. This is a company that I am thrilled to be joining, and I am excited to build on the knowledge that I cultivated here at VT.