CEES Alumnus Cites "Learning How to Learn" as Essential to Career Success at NASA

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Crawler Transporter (CT-1)
inside the Vehicle Assembly Building,
(VAB) HB-2
Jesse Berdis earned a bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering in the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science in 2011 and a master's degree in civil engineering in 2013.

Berdis explains how his OU Engineering experience prepared him for his position as a structural engineer for NASA at the Florida Kennedy Space Center.

Astronaut Training
"The most pronounced skill that OU engineering provided was teaching me to learn how to learn. Of course, OU provided the technical essentials required to receive an engineering degree in structure; how to identify W-sections in the AISC code book, or how to determine the edge thickness of concrete when rebar is present, I learned how to calculate the required pre-tensioned stress and camber in pre-stressed concrete forms, and the recommended ratio of concrete mixtures in different applications. I had the foundation of structural engineering down. But, the most important skill: learning to learn, empowered cross-coordination between multiple disciplines, almost always, beyond my structural engineering foundation…an opportunity which is inevitable for every engineer (especially working at NASA).

Perspective from the Top of the Mobile Launcher
I currently collaborate with electrical, cryogenics, mechanical, aerospace, chemical, and rocket engineers to develop infrastructure for the next big flagship in space exploration, the Space Launch System (SLS). OU taught me how to use information available to locate problems in unfamiliar textbooks, research and find, calculate, and problem solve. Without OU’s provided foundation of structural engineering essentials combined with the power to problem solve…problems, I would never be where I am today. Thank you OU Engineering!"

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