When Cylan Burns graduated as his high school’s valedictorian in 2020, he knew he wanted to find ways to make the world a better place, and he knew he liked mathematics and science. 
 
Considering that, the Versailles High School alumnus says deciding to attend Missouri S&T was an easy equation for him to solve. He is now in his final semester studying engineering management at S&T, and he says he is excited to start his career as a project manager. 
 
“Coming to Missouri S&T helped unlock so many doors for me and helped me better understand how I can pursue my passions,” Burns says.  
 
“As an engineering management student, I have learned and applied methods for operations to run as smoothly as possible. Sometimes, even a small change in a process can make a significant different for an organization’s results.” 
 
While at S&T, Burns has completed multiple internships with the university’s industry partners that have allowed him to develop skills as a leader and managing both people and processes. 
 
“The type of experiential learning available through S&T is awesome because it allows you to see the concepts you learn in class further come to life in the workplace,” he says. “I have worked as a field superintendent for a construction company, a supply chain intern for a technology services provider and a project management intern for a major GPS technology company.” 

Global experiences

Before Burns came to S&T, he says he often kept more to himself, and he never traveled internationally. Now, he says he has traveled to six other countries, and he enjoys working with people — especially those from diverse populations. 
 
Through his work as a leader in Engineers Without Borders, he traveled to both Bolivia and Ecuador in summer 2023.  
 
“Engineers Without Borders is all about helping people in the real world,” he says. “We are literally saving lives by providing people with access to clean water and sanitation, and seeing everyone’s gratitude is amazing.” 
 
He also completed a study abroad experience in Spain and traveled to France, England and Morocco while he was overseas. 
 
“My two minors are Spanish and global studies, and this knowledge came in handy during my time studying abroad,” Burns says. “Earning a degree from Missouri S&T can be so much more than just learning about engineering and project management. The entire world is available for you to explore.” 

On record with The Wall Street Journal

When The Wall Street Journal announced its latest college rankings earlier this month, Burns was quoted for his perspective as an S&T student. The following is an excerpt from the newspaper’s Sept. 9 article, titled “The Top U.S. Colleges That Make New Graduates Rich.”

For Cylan Burns, who’s on track to graduate from No. 9 Missouri University of Science and Technology in December with a degree in engineering management, enrolling in the college was an easy choice, in part because he could see the positive outcomes of graduates.

“I wanted in-state tuition, and I’m from Missouri, so the choice is kind of obvious because S&T’s the best for engineering in Missouri and, I’ve heard, the nation,” Burns says.

Burns has held three internships and traveled to South America twice to complete rainwater and pipeline systems evaluations with the university’s Engineers Without Borders chapter.

“I’m not really worried about getting a job just because I have that experience,” says Burns. “I feel like they’ve set me up really well for success.”

Additional students quoted in the article include undergraduates at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, also on the Journal’s “Top 10 Colleges for Best Salaries.” S&T was the only Missouri college on the list, and one of only two public universities.

Personal growth

At S&T, Burns says he has received support from his approximately 50 fraternity brothers in Delta Sigma Phi, and their help, plus that from his classmates, professors and other friends, is what made his time at the university all-the-more meaningful and successful. 
 
“Having 50 men in the same group as you truly wanting you to succeed is huge,” he says. “It has also helped me further develop my social skills, which is so important for people in my profession.” 
 
Burns says he hasn’t pinpointed exactly where he wants to work after graduating from S&T, but he plans to continue exploring different options in the coming months.  
 
Whatever the case, he hopes to continue growing both personally and professionally once his time as a student in Rolla comes to an end. 
 
“I like to remind myself that it shouldn’t be scary to try new things because they usually turn out good or lead to other opportunities,” Burns says. 
 
For more information about Missouri S&T’s engineering management programs, visit emse.mst.edu. 

About Missouri S&T

Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is a STEM-focused research university of over 7,000 students located in Rolla, Missouri. Part of the four-campus University of Missouri System, Missouri S&T offers over 100 degrees in 40 areas of study and is among the nation’s top public universities for salary impact, according to the Wall Street Journal. For more information about Missouri S&T, visit www.mst.edu.