Allison Hubbell: Outstanding senior in industrial engineering

Clubs and activities

IMSE Department student ambassador, Engineering Career Fair Executive Team, Undergraduate Research Assistant within the IMSE Department, Alpha Pi Mu, Tau Beta Pi, University Honors Program, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers, Kappa Delta sorority, Ivy College of Business International Case Competition Team

In addition, I’m very involved with the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and frequently volunteer to promote study abroad opportunities through the Society of International Engineers and the Study Abroad Office.

Valuable hands-on learning in class

In my capstone course, IE 4480, we have the opportunity to partner with a local company to help solve a real-world problem. My team is currently working with Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, which has allowed me to apply the full range of industrial engineering tools and knowledge I’ve gained throughout my time at Iowa State. Beyond the technical skills, this experience has strengthened my professionalism, communication, and teamwork. Most importantly, it’s shown me the real impact engineers can have on our community.

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

After my sophomore year I interned in engineering sales, working at the intersection of manufacturing, software, and sales. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was more drawn to the technical side of engineering than the sales side — but the experience was incredibly valuable for everything it taught me. I learned how to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively, how to handle rejection, and how to keep learning and improving even when things got uncomfortable. I gained insight into the challenges manufacturing facilities face across the U.S. and the tools available to help solve those problems. Most importantly, I learned how to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, and how to gain buy-in for ideas — skills that will serve me for the rest of my engineering career.

Most influential mentor

Leslie Potter has been my most influential mentor at Iowa State. The passion she brought to the classroom made me feel certain that engineering was where I was meant to be, too. Since then, she’s shown me that being a great engineer also means being a strong, thoughtful leader. We’ve worked together on outreach events to recruit prospective students to engineering and to major in IE, and this past year, she’s also served as my honors research mentor. Her guidance has shaped not only my technical skills but also my confidence and sense of purpose as an aspiring engineer.

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My greatest accomplishment at Iowa State has been playing a key role in launching the Sukup Advanced Manufacturing Line in the new Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building. Through my current research project, I’ve helped define the space’s blueprint to best teach students about industrial automation and Industry 4.0 technologies. I’ve contributed to redesigning the IE 4320 course curriculum and have led the design and implementation of a fully functional manufacturing line that will serve as the lobby centerpiece of the new building. This line will offer hands-on learning opportunities for students and also produce goods for university customers, including the bookstore, central stores, and various departments. Looking ahead, I hope to see this space become a cornerstone of the Department of IMSE — a valuable teaching tool, a powerful recruiting asset, and a hub for community outreach.

Describe your major to someone who is unfamiliar with it

To quote my mentor, Leslie Potter, industrial engineers “improve processes to help people.” Industrial engineering is one of the most versatile majors, equipping students with skills that can be applied across various industries and roles — whether it’s manufacturing, process improvement, quality control, EHS, sales, supply chain, R&D, and more. What sets industrial engineering apart is its focus on developing adaptable engineers who can solve problems and optimize processes in any field.

Plans after graduation

After graduation, I plan to spend a few months traveling around South America to immerse myself in new cultures, meet people, and learn new languages. Following that, I’ll be joining Garmin’s Consumer Quality Engineering Team.

Support from Engineering Career Services

I first got involved with Engineering Career Services (ECS) as a freshman by volunteering as a Student Ambassador for the Engineering Career Fair. Later, I joined the Career Fair Executive Team, where I served on the Logistics Team and as a Director for the Personnel Team. Through this close collaboration with ECS, I took full advantage of their professional development resources, such as resume reviews, interview prep, and Career Fair networking. Ultimately, ECS played a key role in helping me secure both my internships and my full-time position, all of which I found through the Engineering Career Fair.

Iowa State’s entrepreneurship resources

My first experience with the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship was at the ISU Innovation Prize, and that weekend completely reshaped my view of entrepreneurship. The Pappajohn Center helped me realize that the skills I had been developing at Iowa State were preparing me to be not just a competent engineer, but also an effective entrepreneur. After that first event, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve participated in the Food Insecurity Challenge, the Fall Startup Pitch Competition, the College-by-College Pitch Off, and attended both Start Something Workshops and a Smart Start Workshop. I’m also taking IE 4300, Entrepreneurial Product Engineering.

These experiences with entrepreneurship competitions and programming at Iowa State have made me much more confident in public speaking, preparing and delivering presentations, communicating technical ideas, working on cross-functional teams, and applying my engineering background to generate creative solutions for real-world problems. These are all skills that will serve me well in my engineering career.

Making my mark on the world

When I graduated from high school, I didn’t know exactly what kind of engineering I wanted to pursue — I just knew I wanted to be an engineer. My ambition wasn’t tied to a specific job title, but to the mindset and training that come with engineering. I’ve always wanted to be a problem solver. I wanted the skills and experience to tackle the challenges I encounter in my daily life and career, but also to help solve problems faced by my community and the people I care about.

Professionally, I hope to be known as someone approachable — someone others can count on when they’re stuck. Beyond the workplace, I aim to use the problem-solving mindset I’ve developed through engineering to make a meaningful impact in my life and in my community. I want to be the kind of person people turn to with challenges, knowing I’ll be there to help. Ultimately, my goal is to use my skills to serve and uplift those around me.

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

Cyclone Engineering is a mindset. Many people can take the classes and land the jobs, but being a Cyclone Engineer is about how you apply those skills. It’s about using what you learn in the classroom to create something meaningful — whether in clubs, research, or at home. Then, it’s about seeking knowledge beyond the classroom and bringing it back with you. It’s learning how to work with a team, communicate technical concepts, and find passion in your work.

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

When you think about college, it’s easy to focus on the obvious things — classes, dorms, sports teams. And while those are part of the experience, the real promise of Iowa State is something deeper: it’s the opportunities that help you grow into the person and professional you want to become.
Want to lead? There are student organizations waiting. Curious about research? There are labs that welcome undergrads. Want to make a difference? There are ways to volunteer—whether it’s in the local community or across the globe. You can study abroad, stay active with intramurals, join Greek life, or even build your own business. There’s so much here for you.

The best part? Iowa State truly values the learning that happens outside the classroom just as much as what happens inside. If you put yourself out there and say yes to the opportunities around you, you won’t just get a degree — you’ll get an experience that shapes who you are.

Most inspiring location on campus

I feel especially inspired to be a Cyclone Engineer in the new Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building. This space embodies the initiative it takes to dream, design, and build an environment where students can grow into exceptional engineers. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with the team involved in designing spaces within the building, and I’ve seen firsthand the care and intentionality behind every decision. The Therkildsen Building is more than just a facility — it’s a hub for innovation, education, and inspiration, and I’m proud to be part of its creation.