Matthew Kandler
PT: So I saw on LinkedIn that you attended Bucknell. Did you study mechanical engineering? What made you choose Stanford and your specific program?
MK: Yes, at Bucknell I spent a lot of time working with robotics, in design and programming. Originally, I went to Stanford with the intention of studying robotic design but I found that I liked the general design curriculum a lot more. I thought that I would obtain my Master’s and Ph.D. in a robotics research field prior to enrollment but later realized that the research end was not for me.
PT: What differences did you find between Bucknell and Stanford? Were they good or bad?
MK: First of all, Bucknell’s approach to design was focused on constraints and solving a problem based on those constraints. At Stanford, design thinking is based on the needs of the individual and how to please the individual in both form and function. In general, Stanford is a very entrepreneurial focused school. At least half of my friends there had formed a start-up. I really appreciated these attributes of the school, they are very unique.
PT: I’m not exactly sure what I want to dive into yet, so can you give me an idea of the differences between the mechanical engineering and product design programs at Stanford?
MK: Well I wanted a broader course load, therefore I chose the mechanical engineering program with a concentration in design. This option allowed me to take any class from the design school as I wished, without actually being a design student. I know that the product design hybrid program is very difficult to get into. I was also able to take computer science courses, so I was able to tailor the degree to my interests.
PT: Did you have to prepare any sort of portfolio? Also is there a required “gap” year as well? I know theses things are required in the product design program, but am curious about mechanical engineering.
MK: No, neither are required. I believe they are just measures to select students for the highly competitive program.
PT: I checked out some of your current work on your website. How did you get into working with software?
MK: One of my best friends was computer science and I was design so it we just decided to create a start-up like everyone else. Six months before I graduated we launched Quixplore and we have been expanding ever since.
PT: Do you see yourself going back for your Ph.D.?
MK: I’m not interested in research and with the time and money that the Ph.D. program requires I never see it happening. It was an initial goal but I am happy with were my Master’s degree has led me.
PT: Thank you for your time. I greatly appreciate it!