Duy Bui: Outstanding senior in mechanical engineering

Clubs and activities

I served as treasurer of the Vietnamese International Student Association, where I helped lead cultural events, community initiatives, and student support programs. Additionally, I was the vice president of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma Honor Societies, helping with member recruitment and volunteering for service projects. 

Valuable hands-on learning in class

One of the more unique and fun classes I’ve taken is Astro 3440L (Astronomy Laboratory), where I learned to operate a telescope, take images of various space objects, and process them for analysis. I had never properly used a telescope to look into the sky before, let alone take incredible pictures of a distant star, so the class was definitely worthwhile. Additionally, I gained valuable knowledge of space telescopes, interferometry, and image processing, all of which I would return to later in my career. 

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

I got into undergraduate research during my sophomore year and still wish I had started even earlier. A lot of my skills and the way I approach problem-solving are the product of research. Additionally, research lets me work with a lot of cutting-edge technology and concepts that will have a significant impact in the real world. Finally, I got to pick professors’ and graduate students’ brains directly about their thinking processes and received invaluable advice from them. 

Most influential mentor

I want to give a lot of appreciation to postdoc research associate Dr. Jeremy Rurup. He was, then, my mentor graduate student for 2.5 years, and I have learned so much from him, including technical knowledge and skills, as well as academic and career development. He actively tried to help me wherever he could, and treated me with respect. 

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

Being part of the RASC-AL team through M:2:I and placing as one of 14 national finalists in the NASA competition stands out as my greatest accomplishment at Iowa State. Because we were a first-year team, that achievement was tremendous. We got to present our technology and mission proposal in front of multiple aerospace industry leaders, including NASA engineers and scientists. While the presentation was a little bit stressful, I had an amazing time talking with everyone there and getting to know them. I also bonded with my teammates and developed long-lasting friendships. 

Plans after graduation

After graduation, I will be continuing my education as a master’s student in aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech. I am excited to continue learning and developing my expertise, as my long-term goal is to work in research and development of advanced technologies and systems. 

A memorable moment of kindness

I was in the process of applying to graduate schools, which involved writing my personal statement and statement of purpose. Because writing is one of my weakest skills, I approached the Academic Success Center for a writing consultation. The fellow students there were very patient, thoughtful, and genuinely invested in supporting me. They helped me brainstorm and refine my essays in ways I could not have done on my own. I firmly believe that because of them, I was able to get accepted into one of the best engineering universities. 

Persevering through challenging times

There was one semester during my sophomore year when I wasn’t doing too well in a couple of my classes, and I didn’t really enjoy what I was learning. This created a lot of self-doubt, and I even considered switching to a different major. However, after talking to everyone around me and taking some necessary time to think, I was able to get back on track and develop a different mindset on what I want my future to be. I knew I was definitely cut out for engineering, and these were just small hiccups on my path. 

Your major in your own words

Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines you can study. At its core, it is about understanding how things work – how forces, energy, and materials interact to make systems function. You learn the fundamental principles that underpin almost every other engineering field, which means the degree opens doors across nearly every industry.  

What makes it rewarding is that you are never locked into one path. I found myself drawn toward aerospace applications, and my mechanical engineering background gave me exactly the tools I needed to get there. It is a challenging major, but that challenge is the point. 

Making my mark on the world

I hope I can meaningfully support the advancement of human capabilities in terms of what we can access, do, and see. I want to answer as many questions as possible by integrating ideas from different fields and developing reliable solutions that benefit everyone. 

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

Being a Cyclone Engineer is about pursuing growth and taking people with you as you do.  

Iowa State gives you an incredible range of opportunities, and you just have to be willing to go after them. Every time I wanted to step into something new, the tools and mentorship I needed were right there waiting. And none of it would have meant as much without the people beside me, peers who challenged and supported each other every step of the way. That responsibility of helping each other is what I’ll carry with me, and it’s what drives me to give back to the engineers who come after me.  

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

If I could go back and talk to myself during that decision, I would say: Choose Iowa State and trust it. You will gain almost everything you need to succeed there. You will make mistakes, but instead of being penalized for them, you will be given the space to reflect, develop a better solution, and try again. That process will shape you more than you expect.  

You will also build friendships and connections you would never have found anywhere else. And most importantly, you will find the courage to just go for it, to follow your interests and see where they take you. Iowa State will give you more than you think. 

Most inspiring location on campus

The Student Innovation Center is the place on campus that inspires me the most. Walking through it and seeing the different labs, workshops, and projects in motion always reminds me that I can innovate, try something new, and push the boundaries of my own skills and experience. It is also where I come to study and work on my own projects, because something about that environment makes me think more clearly and feel genuinely optimistic about what lies ahead.