About Me
A Personal Dichotomy
My name is Maria LaBruna and I am a rising senior at Northeastern University earning my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics. The best way I can describe myself is as a dichotomy of technical ability and a creative mind. Growing up I felt that I always had two distinct inclinations pulling me in what I believed to be two different directions. With an innate technical aptitude, I loved the pressure of timed tests, complex puzzles, and the way that math could explain the world around me. Simultaneously, I have felt this magnetic pull towards visual arts and design. With the opportunity to attend college, I chose to move across the country to Boston, MA to pursue a degree that would allow me to build upon my interests. Mechanical Engineering has served as a platform for my creative exploration. Over the past 3 years, I have developed an appreciation for the harmony of engineering and design and am seeking professional opportunities at the intersection of engineering, design, and people.
Skills & Training
TECHNICAL
SolidWorks, MATLAB, ANSYS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Sparkfun, C++, Cloud Applications, database tracking, Microsoft Office, Data analysis and reporting
MACHINING
two axis mill, angle grinder, tube notcher, soldering iron, Sawzall, MIG & TIG welding (beginner)
pattern-recognition, quick learner, public speaking, conceptualizing, leadership, collaborative, explorative, self-starter
GENERAL
RELEVANT COURSEWORK
Heat Transfer
Fluid Mechanics
Statics
Dynamics
Finite Element Analysis
Mechanics of Materials
Thermodynamics
Physics I-II
Calculus I-III
Differential Equations & Linear Algebra
Mechanical Design
Materials Science
Measurements
Communication & Gender
Music
Visual Vocabulary
My guiding principle: growth through experience
“Visual vocabulary” refers to a person's inventory of experiences. A person expands their verbal vocabulary by reading, writing, and speaking. Similarly, one's visual vocabulary is developed experientially by seeking out new adventures. It grows each time you explore something new such as a different city, country, activity, or even a new route to work. At home in California, I picked up surfing. I would wake up early, load my board into the car, pack my wetsuit, towel, and wax, and drive to the beach just as the sun was rising.
Moving across the country to Boston has provided me the opportunity to experience a whole new way of life. Not only is it one of the most culturally and academically rich cities in the United States, it also has seasons. During my time here, I have seen the leaves change color in the fall, snow blanket the city, spring poke through the ice, and summer turn everything green again. Attending university in Boston has turned a simple walk around between classes into a powerful catalog of sights.
Whether it's waking up at 4:30 am to surf as the sun comes up or drinking coffee at a small cafe in Boston's North End, I am layering experiences on the hunt for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world.
