"It fundamentally changed how I view infrastructure"

Students Avi Dube and Poppy Wang from the first cohort of the M.S. in Civil and Computer Engineering  program, a new degree offered jointly with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, share what drew them to this emerging field and how it’s shaping their paths toward careers that merge intelligent systems with infrastructure.

In this Q&A, they discuss what makes the program unique, what they’ve learned so far, and how they see technology transforming the future of engineering.

How did you hear about the Civil and Computer Engineering program?

Dube: “I first learned about the Civil and Computer Engineering program through CMU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. During our conversations, faculty highlighted that my background and interests in robotics would align well with this program’s interdisciplinary structure, making it a strong fit for my academic and professional goals.”

Wang: “I learned about this program from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Head, Burcu Akinci. Prior to beginning my master’s degree, I had a Zoom meeting with Dr. Akinci where I shared my strong interest in machine learning and explained that one of the reasons I chose CMU was because, compared to traditional civil engineering, I am more drawn to integrating AI and programming skills into the field. She mentioned that the department was in the process of developing this new program and even provided me with a draft of the proposed coursework.

Her valuable advice gave me more time to prepare in advance, and our academic advisor, Melissa Ritchie, has also been very supportive in helping me transition into this program. I have received so much guidance along the way, and I am truly grateful for the encouragement and assistance from everyone involved.”

What attracted you to this degree program?

Dube: “When I visited campus, professors emphasized the program’s dedication to interdisciplinary research, which resonated with my goals in robotics development. I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to build proficiency in areas outside my current expertise, specifically civil engineering concepts that shape how robots perceive and interact with their environments.

At the same time, the program enables me to further develop my strengths in electrical and computer engineering, particularly in embedded systems and autonomous control. The flexibility of the curriculum also makes it possible to engage in cutting-edge research at CMU’s AirLab, one of the world’s most advanced drone laboratories.”

Wang: “What attracted me was definitely the solid and well-structured curriculum. The courses in sensing, modeling, and control systems offered across multiple departments provide a comprehensive foundation that broadens my perspective and deepens my understanding of this field.

For example, I took Professor Katherine Flanigan’s course on Intelligent Infrastructure Systems last semester, which was an eye-opening experience. In that class, I learned how modern infrastructure can be enhanced with advanced sensing technologies, data analytics, and control mechanisms. This course fundamentally changed how I view infrastructure. And the vision of combining civil engineering with advanced computing skills is exactly what drew me to the Civil and Computer Engineering program.”

What are your career goals, and how do you see the Civil and Computer Engineering degree helping you get there?

Dube: “My long-term goal is to advance robotics by bridging the gap between simulation and the real world. This program uniquely equips me for that challenge.

The computer engineering foundation provides the skills to design and implement autonomous systems, while the civil engineering component gives me the tools to understand the environments in which those systems must operate safely and reliably. Together, they form the interdisciplinary perspective I need to design robust, adaptable robots capable of interacting seamlessly with complex physical spaces.”

Wang: “I plan to pursue a career as a Software Engineer, with the longer-term goal of working as a Machine Learning Engineer. My interest lies in building intelligent, data-driven systems that can solve real-world problems and improve the resilience and efficiency of infrastructure and technology.

I believe this degree provides an excellent foundation for that journey. Its comprehensive curriculum that includes sensing, modeling, and control systems equips me with both the technical software skills and the domain knowledge necessary to make contributions. By blending software engineering principles with applied expertise in smart infrastructure, this program will prepare me to work in areas where programming, AI, and machine learning drives practical, scalable solutions.”