Featured Graduate Student, September 2009
Martha Gross

Interview:

How would you describe your area of study to your grandmother?
Many regions want to build new roads and bridges to reduce congestion or replace structures that are wearing out, but state transportation agencies often can't afford all these projects. Although there's no perfect solution, I'm studying various financial and contracting strategies to see how each one might play a role in fixing our infrastructure problems.

Did your past experiences in life or education help prepare you for graduate school or did you have to develop different strategies to succeed?
My seven years in the heavy-construction industry were valuable preparation for graduate school: not only in developing problem-solving skills, but also in highlighting some intriguing questions which later formed the basis of my research.

If you were able to merge another discipline with yours, what would it be?
Through joint PhD/MBA studies, it's been rewarding to probe the finance concepts interwoven with my engineering pursuits and to discover--despite our tidy definitions of academic disciplines--how knowledge really is continuous across departmental boundaries.

Which field are you most happy that you did not enter?
Athletics. As a five-year-old, I told my Sunday-school teacher I wanted to be a football player when I grew up. It quickly became clear my sports talents were much more suited to watching than participating!

What is your favorite stress-reduction technique?
Getting out of the office for a brisk walk always seems to provide a better perspective on challenges.

What accomplishment (academic or other) are you most proud of?
There are few greater joys than to hear of the successes--both personal and professional--of those whom I've been privileged to help mentor.

What do you feel is the greatest challenge that graduate students face and how have you dealt with this challenge?
Uncertainty about the next step after graduation is a near-universal challenge for graduate students. Looking ahead to 2011, I'm building business-card collections for specific options in industry and academia, while also remaining alert for other opportunities which may arise. I appreciate the advice and support of countless mentors along the way.

What surprised you the most about graduate school?
The freedom. In contrast to the business world, academic life offers remarkable autonomy for defining and pursuing one's initiatives.

What is your favorite comfort food and why? How often do you consume it?
The blueberry french-toast casserole at the D2 dining hall is a well-kept secret. The D2 staff knows I always hope for a super-size portion, with extra blueberry sauce, whenever it comes up in the breakfast rotation.

If you hadn't been admitted to graduate school, what do you think you would be doing right now?
I might be driving a mud-spattered Ford F-150 around a remote bridge-construction site, trying to locate that missing bundle of reinforcing steel, hoping the rain would hold off long enough for the afternoon's concrete pour, and wondering who put a dead fish in my lunchbox.

View previous Featured Graduate Student interviews >>

Would you like to nominate a student to be featured?
Currently enrolled VT graduate students can be nominated for a variety of reasons -- academic or personal accomplishments, service to the department or the university community, or any other reason that makes them a unique and valuable member of academe. Students, faculty, or staff can submit nominations by completing a short nomination form.