Engineering student shifts from the stage to the lab

Bushnell started as a chemical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) and quickly discovered he was way ahead in chemistry, but behind in math. Having not particularly excelled in high school math — nor had any strong interest — Bushnell had some catching up to do. With fierce determination, he began teaching himself using Khan Academy, an online education program, and took a calculus course over the summer. He didn’t just catch up in math, he flourished. 

 “I got sort of this immense running start and now I’m like this ‘math person,’” Bushnell said. “I really enjoy doing the derivations of all the equations that I use in chemical engineering. I found my strength to be in the deep theory and the mathematical side of the whole enterprise.” 

“I know there are many people who feel like science or math are going to be too hard for them, or maybe they didn’t like math in high school. I didn’t hate it, but I sure wasn’t great at it,” he said. “I think the sciences and mathematics are much more accessible to people than they may realize.”

Bushnell used the mandatory cooperative education (co-op) program at CEAS as a way to test the waters in different roles. At a job recruitment event Bushnell attended when he was seeking his first co-op, a UC chemical engineering alumnus, who now works in supply chain for a large multinational company, gave Bushnell some advice he took to heart: use college co-op to really explore a variety of employers and potential career paths to see what you like.

During the course of his undergraduate years, Bushnell co-oped at Fortis Solutions Group, a printing and flexible packaging manufacturer; at Valeo, working in industrial manufacturing; and at AK Steel in their research center. It was at AK Steel where Bushnell discovered an interest in research while he was working on a project to predict carbon content in stainless steel.

Bushnell is planning to attend graduate school — another thing he never anticipated for himself. When Bushnell was choosing a major, a chemistry instructor mentioned that many chemistry majors go on to graduate school if they want to pursue more advanced careers in the field. Bushnell was certain he didn’t want to go to graduate school, so he decided chemical engineering would set him up to work immediately after earning his bachelor’s degree. But, like so many other things in Bushnell’s life, a new experience changed his mind, and he was open to that change. 

“At this last co-op experience at AK Steel, I asked my supervisor what I needed to do so I could do this kind of work and he said everyone here has at least a master’s degree,” Bushnell said.   

As Bushnell prepares for his next chapter in his educational career, he is mindful that he was able to earn his engineering degree because his interests were motivating him to find a way to succeed. 

“It wasn’t a rational choice, like ‘oh, this is the way towards a good job,’ it was purely a passion-based decision,” Bushnell said about his move from theater to chemical engineering. “If you have a passion for something, that will propel you forward.”