Class of 2025: Gavin Harman engineers his future, from co-op to career
Name: Gavin Harman
Hometown: Kingsport, Tennessee
College: College of Engineering
Major: Chemical engineering
Favorite Hokie memory: “It’s hard to pick one, but my favorite memories involve finding people that I really clicked with and making lifelong friends. I was able to meet these people at the Big Event, football games, and American Institute of Chemical Engineers events every year.”
Plans after graduation: Process design engineer at Dow Chemical in Charleston, West Virginia
Finding the perfect fit
Gavin Harman always aspired to be an engineer, but he was uncertain about which college to attend. Growing up in Kingsport, Tennessee, he wanted to avoid the familiarity of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where most of his hometown peers went. When he visited Virginia Tech and saw the abundance of opportunities to try new things, he knew it was the perfect fit.
Initially, Harman didn't plan to follow in his father's footsteps as a chemical engineer. However, after enjoying his first-year chemistry class and consulting with his advisor, he chose chemical engineering due to its diverse job opportunities and promising career prospects.
"The broadness of chemical engineering really appealed to me," said Harman. "I liked that I would be exposed to a variety of different fields, all of which have real-world impact."
From classroom to co-op
Harman wasted no time getting started on making an impact in the industry, securing a year-long process and product engineering co-op with WestRock in Charleston, South Carolina. This opportunity allowed him to apply his classroom knowledge in a practical setting while honing workplace skills such as problem solving and information sourcing.
"My chemical engineering classes taught me technical information, critical thinking, and networking skills," said Harman. "My co-op experience provided the chance to apply these skills in a real job, offering a new perspective on the value of my education. It reinforced my belief in the return on investment of my degree."
Financially, Harman's co-op experience was also beneficial, enabling him to continue his education after gaining industry experience.
"Co-ops provide a safe space for students to make mistakes and learn from them," said Harman. "This hands-on experience was invaluable, both personally and academically. It fueled my passion for learning and reinforced the significance of my coursework, helping me better appreciate the importance of my foundational courses."
Experience in industry also helped Harman apply new skills in the lab. For the past year, he’s been an undergraduate researcher in Associate Professor Sheima Khatib’s lab, assisting with designing and testing catalytic systems.
Engineering a lasting community
Outside of the classroom, Harman made an effort to surround himself with a good community. From his time as a resident advisor for Pritchard Hall to his many roles in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) student chapter at Virginia Tech, he has always carried a strong desire to be a positive influence in other students’ lives.
In AIChE, Harman took on roles as a mentor and student tutor. He has also actively participated in the organization's semesterly Jeopardy competitions, where his team tackled questions on chemical engineering topics like fluids, separations, process controls, and heat transfer, as well as STEM-related questions and random categories such as U.S. history. These experiences have been instrumental in his professional growth and networking, offering him opportunities to connect with peers who share his same interests.
"I've always been passionate about kindness and helping those around me," said Harman. "I'm never afraid to share my experiences to guide others, just as my classmates have done for me. One of the best parts of the chemical engineering department is the strong community we've built. My peers have been my biggest supporters, and alongside my professors, they've significantly contributed to my personal and academic growth."
After graduation, Harman will join Dow Chemical in Charleston, West Virginia, as a process design engineer. As his career transitions from academic to professional, he is eager to build a new support community to lean on in his professional journey.
