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Somayeh Sadeghizadeh, an international student from Iran, is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering on an engineering management track at Florida Polytechnic University.

International master’s student flourishes at Florida Poly

November 15, 2021

Somayeh Sadeghizadeh, an international student from Iran, is pursuing a master’s degree in engineering on an engineering management track at Florida Polytechnic University.

Graduate student Somayeh Sadeghizadeh is no stranger to going after what she wants. The international student from Tehran, Iran, holds a master’s degree in urban management, and enjoyed a 10-year career working in sales and marketing in her home country.

But Sadeghizadeh felt ready for a new challenge and enrolled at Florida Polytechnic University to pursue a master’s degree in engineering on an engineering management track.

“I felt maybe my knowledge was not so fresh anymore and I needed to learn and become more educated,” she said. “I was not happy and I really had a desire to study in the United States.”

In her graduate program, Sadeghizadeh is learning about data visualization, supply chain management, project optimization, strategic management, project simulation, and more. International Education Week is Nov. 15-19, and Sadeghizadeh is making the most of the resources available to her at Florida Poly.

“The faculty and the International Student Services Office are so patient and supportive,” she said. “People are so friendly, and the international office replies so clearly to give you all the support you need. It’s really heartwarming and they let you know you are part of this community.”

Sadeghizadeh said Florida Poly was a perfect match to help her fulfill her educational needs and prepare her for the next steps in her career.

“I really love this university because I’m learning lots of things about my program and about the culture of the United States,” she said. “The environment is great and there are lots of opportunities for students. You can have a very good relationship with your faculty here and they become mentors to you.”

Growth has not been limited to the academic setting for the ambitious Sadeghizadeh.

“I think I have changed significantly compared to two years ago when I entered the University,” she said. “I have learned a lot of new things and I have much better self-confidence to start working on more professional projects.”

She said she hopes to continue working in the United States after her graduation in December 2021.

“I think you really can grow when you go to different places, especially since this is such a big country,” Sadeghizadeh said. “In the modern lifestyle, you should see different places and grow.

“You may encounter some difficulties, but everyone should exit from their comfort zone and experience new things.”

 

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Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.