From art school to engineering: Graduate’s innovative path at Georgia Southern University
Isabella Mashack’s journey to earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Southern University was not straightforward. Art was her first love, nurtured at the arts-focused high school she attended in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Immersed in theatre where she designed costumes and built sets, Mashack developed the creative foundation that would later influence her career path.
The Pivot to Engineering
After high school, she enrolled in art school in Savannah. However, the experience didn’t meet her expectations. The shift to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic left her feeling disconnected and creatively stifled. This difficult time led to a surprising insight.
“I realized there were things that I was missing from high school — like math and science classes, which I was always interested in,” the new graduate said. Driven by this realization, Mashack transferred to Georgia Southern, where she discovered a passion for mechanical engineering. She realized engineering allowed her to blend her earlier interests.
“Engineering allows me to combine art and science, math and creativity,” she explained. “I really enjoy being hands-on with almost all my assignments and being able to utilize manufacturing machinery to turn an idea into an actual product.”
Overcoming Challenges and Finding Rhythm
Mashack spent her first two years on the Armstrong Campus and the last two years on the Statesboro Campus. Growing up as the eldest in a large family with five siblings, she admitted she was “very timid and shy,” constantly second-guessing her decisions when she first arrived at Georgia Southern. Her main challenge quickly became mastering time management while balancing a demanding engineering curriculum, multiple part-time jobs and maintaining a personal life, which included caring for two adopted sibling cats, Reggie and Nami. She eventually found her rhythm, realizing, “I should complete schoolwork almost as soon as I receive it. That way I’m not procrastinating and suddenly have a million things to do at once.”
Overcoming the time management hurdle, combined with her academic growth, allowed her confidence to grow. Mashack acknowledged that the support from her peers and faculty members “sparked her curiosity and drive.”
“I’m constantly met with new challenges and have to figure out varying methods to overcome them,” she said. “With how much I’ve grown, learned, and experienced, I can easily say my expectations were beyond blown away. I’m so grateful to have met everyone I did during my time at Georgia Southern. I’m the person I am today because of these experiences.”
High-impact Research and Practical Learning
Mashack’s most significant experience was working as an undergraduate research assistant for Professor Bishal Silwal, Ph.D., a mechanical engineering professor in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. She explored the specialized field of metallography, concentrating on wire arc additive manufacturing.
“Dr. Silwal trusted me with a lot of big responsibilities and tasks, and I never felt like I wasn’t appreciated,” Mashack said. “He constantly made sure to let me know how my help has impacted the team overall, and I’m very grateful to have been able to work with him.”
Beyond the lab, she continued her course of practical learning by joining organizations such as the American Foundry Society. She highly recommends the experience.
“It provides a fun and hands-on opportunity to learn metal casting and apply those techniques directly to create your own casts,” she said.
The Next Chapter
As she moves into the next chapter of her life, Mashack has accepted a job as a process equipment engineer. She plans to continue learning by exploring other engineering areas — including supply chain, research, maintenance, and leadership — to understand how they all fit together. Her success at Georgia Southern proves that blending creativity with logical thinking truly drives innovation.