Alumni Spotlight: Why I Chose the Risk, Reliability and Resilience M.Eng. Program at VUSE

Vanderbilt University School of Engineering’s Risk, Reliability and Resilience (RRR) program forms skilled engineers in this specialized discipline to make an impact across industries. We had the opportunity to interview a  M.Eng. in Risk, Reliability and Resilience program alumna, Darby Barnett, on how her RRR degree has impacted her and expanded her career path!

What is your name, location, graduation year, and current role?

My name is Darby Barnett, and I currently live in Nashville. I graduated with my M.Eng. in Risk, Reliability and Resilience in 2022, and I now work as a Security Consultant.

What made you think it was time to consider obtaining a degree from Vanderbilt University School of Engineering?

I had worked for three years and knew I wanted to go back to school. This program is unique and covers a variety of topics that I’m interested in.

Visit our new interactive resource guide: The Future of Risk Analysis, Risk Engineering, and Risk Management: Machine Learning, Uncertainty Analysis, and Digital Twins>>

What attracted you to Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering specifically?

The curriculum is unique and covered a variety of areas I am interested in with regard to Risk, Reliability and Resilience.

How did Vanderbilt University’s dedication to an interdisciplinary approach to the RRR concentration affect your experience in the program? 

I was able to gain knowledge in a range of areas, and it opened my eyes to the different industries/career paths I can pursue.

What was the most challenging element of the RRR concentration? 

The capstone was the most challenging since it was the first time I did an individual project of that magnitude.

How did Vanderbilt’s program encourage you to become a better leader in the field?

The program is very unique and applicable to how industries are evolving in terms of technology and data. Since it is unique, it gives me a bit of a different perspective that I hope to utilize as a leader.

How has this concentration in RRR affected your professional opportunities, and what do you hope to accomplish as an expert in this field?

Currently, I am overseeing IT assessments but my goal is to eventually pivot to working in the development of IoT products. I think the technical and management courses in this curriculum have helped my career immensely.

Please tell us about one faculty member who has inspired and positively influenced your experience.

Dr. Mark Abkowitz was one of the best professors I’ve had. I enjoyed the classes he taught and his classes helped me understand the applicability of the RRR curriculum in the industry.

Vanderbilt University School of Engineering’s Risk, Reliability and Resilience (RRR) M.Eng. program is uniquely designed to develop experienced leaders in the field, empowering them to make informed decisions that properly account for uncertainty and risk. The 12-month, 30-hour interdisciplinary program puts graduates on a diverse career path in industries of all sizes and types. 

Are you interested in learning more about forging your path to innovation with a degree in risk, reliability and resilience engineering? Request more information today!

You can also explore our program page to learn more about what makes the RRR program so transformational. 

If you are ready to jumpstart your career in risk, reliability and resilience engineering, apply today! 

Visit our resource guide: The Future of Risk Analysis, Risk Engineering, and Risk Management: Machine Learning, Uncertainty Analysis, and Digital Twins.