Monday, 27 May 2013

Sigma Phi Epsilon Brother Matthew Baird WPI



Matthew Baird WPI attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA. While studying there, Matthew Baird WPI became a brother in a fraternity – the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Sigma Phi Epsilon (often shortened to just SigEp) was founded in 1901, more than a century before Matthew Baird WPI would join at WPI. Matthew Baird WPI is one of over 300,000 lifetime brothers who have joined Sigma Phi Epsilon since it was founded, although there are about 15,000 current undergrad members.

When you read about Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Balanced Man Program, it isn’t hard to see why this fraternity was a good fit for Matthew Baird WPI. The Balanced Man Program sets SigEp apart from other fraternities, because it aims to help brothers become well-rounded students and adults – in terms of academics, leadership, professional development, and social skills. As a busy student athlete, volunteer, engineering student and future business professional, the Balanced Man Program at Sigma Phi Epsilon would have been a great program to help Matthew Baird WPI to succeed in all aspects of his life.

Sigma Phi Epsilon isn’t one of those fraternities that focuses on boozing and hazing. Matthew Baird WPI is glad to know that the network of Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni is strong and connected, helping brothers to gain professional success and assistance when they need it. Some of Matthew Baird WPI’s most famous Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers include actor John Goodman, children’s author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, two NASA astronauts, Nobel Laureate (Economics) Kenneth J Arrow, and many high powered chairman and CEOs around the country. Matthew Baird WPI enjoyed his time as an undergraduate brother at Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity for many reasons, not least of which was the great friends that he made there. Fraternities are a great way to get involved and find a community on a big campus, and Matthew Baird WPI would recommend that all college freshmen at least consider joining a fraternity or sorority.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Matthew Baird WPI



Matthew Baird WPI attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and graduated in 2012. He graduated with an MGE, with a concentration in mechanical engineering. The school is located in Worcester, MA, and trains students like Matthew Baird WPI in science, engineering, and technology, and often focuses its research on nanotechnology, biotechnology, fuel cells, and information security.

Matthew Baird WPI enjoyed his time at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and participated as a member of the hockey team and the football team. Matthew Baird WPI has always been a student athlete, and was glad to help represent Worcester Polytechnic Institute at sporting events and competitions. After graduating in 2012, Matthew Baird WPI enrolled at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in the Charlton School of Business. He is studying there now for his Bachelor’s of Science in marketing and business.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1865, as one of the country’s first technology and engineering schools. Matthew Baird WPI knows that WPI regularly ranks as a tier-one university according to the US News & World Report rankings. WPI plays in the NCAA’s division III, and Matthew Baird WPI played in the Liberty League with his football teammates. Matthew Baird WPI knows of many famous and successful alumni who have attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute before him, including Dean Kamen. Kamen invented the first portable insulin pump for diabetics, and founded the company that invented the Segway Human Transporter. Matthew Baird WPI also shares his alma mater with three founding members of the classic rock band J. Geils Band – John W. Geils Jr, Danny Klein, and Richard Salwitz. Matthew Baird WPI recognizes that WPI’s most famous and well-known alum is Robert H. Goddard, who is generally recognized as the “Father of Modern Rocketry.” Probably WPI’s most recent big-shot alumni is Foursquare founder Naveen Selvadurai, who graduated just a decade before Matthew Baird WPI.

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Relay for Life Participant – Matthew Baird WPI



Most people have heard of Relay for Life, and almost everyone knows what the pink ribbon symbolizes today. However, this wasn’t always the case. Matthew Baird WPI knows that bringing attention to various types of cancer is a crucial step in raising funds to study and cure the disease. This is why Matthew Baird WPI has participated in the Relay for Life, an event held annually around the country by the American Cancer Society.

Relay for Life is an overnight event; participants like Matthew Baird WPI gather a team together and ensure that at least one person from the team is walking or running on the track at all times for 24 hours. Matthew Baird WPI and his team members took shifts walking and running around the track, chatting with other participants and enjoying themselves. Although Relay for Life can be a serious event, even hosting a Luminaria ceremony to remember those who have passed away due to cancer, most people find Relay for Life to be a lot of fun as well. It’s a great chance to camp out with friends, chat, get some exercise, barbecue, and participate in fun team challenges and games. Sometimes there are bands that play and shows to attend as well.

Matthew Baird WPI knows that Relay for Life first started in 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt took it upon himself to run and walk around a track for 24 hours straight. He raised $27,000, and inspired future participants like Matthew Baird WPI to eventually join in years later. Every year the Relay for Life has grown in numbers, and Matthew Baird WPI hopes that it will continue to raise money for cancer research and treatment. The American Cancer Society estimates that Relay for Life has raised over $3 billion, and spread to over 21 other countries.

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Matthew Baird WPI – Massachusetts Student Athlete and Hard Worker



Matthew Baird WPI was born in 1990, and is now 22 years old. During his life, he has attended many schools, and played sports at all of them. It is safe to say that Matthew Baird WPI is a successful student athlete, who contributes to every team sport he plays. In the past or present, Matthew Baird WPI has played golf, tennis, football, and hockey, and also run cross country.

In addition to his time spent playing for and representing his schools, Matthew Baird WPI has worked in athletics as well. He worked as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Stoughton MA in 2009, after graduating from high school in 2008. He also worked as a swim instructor there as well. From 2007 to 2009, Matthew Baird WPI worked as an umpire in Girls Fast Pitch Softball, also in Stoughton, MA. Being an umpire requires a lot of focus and attention to detail, since Matthew Baird WPI’s calls as the umpire could determine the course of a game. Although it was a high pressure job in that way, Matthew Baird WPI really enjoyed being an umpire for the Girls Fast Pitch Softball, because he loves sports and likes to watch the games unfold.

Matthew Baird WPI has also worked for Roche Brothers in Easton, MA, as an associate. He worked for Roche Brothers in 2010, while he was a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying for his MGE in mechanical engineering. In 2012 (the year he graduated from WPI and enrolled at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Charlton School of Business), Matthew Baird WPI worked as an associate at Easton Country Club, in Easton, MA. Apart from this professional experience, Matthew Baird WPI has spent time volunteering in many different roles, including a nursing home volunteer at the Copley Center Nursing Home, and a tutor for high school students.

Friday, 10 May 2013

Matthew Baird WPI – Employable in the Field of Business



Matthew Baird WPI will be graduating in May of 2013, with a Bachelor’s of Science in marketing and business. This is in addition to Matthew Baird WPI’s previous degree, an MGE with a concentration in mechanical engineering. Combined with his skills as a people person and good communicator, Matthew Baird WPI hopes to put his talents to work in the world of business upon graduation.

Matthew Baird WPI was a high-achieving student during high school, and received recognition for his hard work. He even received a Certificate of Merit for the French Exam, in recognition of his skills with the French language after years of study. Matthew Baird WPI scored impressively high on the ACT standardized test (an alternative to the SAT for college admissions), outscoring 97% of people who took the test. There’s no doubt that this impressive feat helped Matthew Baird WPI to gain acceptance to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a very competitive institution of higher learning.

In the world of business today, it often isn’t enough to just have a degree in business. Matthew Baird WPI knows that those who succeed in business and marketing have a diverse set of skills, and can call upon strong problem solving skills to help them in tough decisions and situations. Luckily, Matthew Baird WPI’s background in mechanical engineering is a strong background for these skills, since he had to utilize them daily in his studies. Most businesses, if presented with a candidate with just a business BA or BS, would opt for someone like Matthew Baird WPI instead. They look for candidates who can work well under pressure in a variety of situations, and Matthew Baird WPI’s diverse background, both academically and professionally, make him a top competitor in the job market. Matthew Baird WPI is looking for employment in the fields of business and marketing, particularly in sales, business analysis, and business development.

Monday, 6 May 2013

Working at the YMCA – Matthew Baird WPI



Most people are familiar with the YMCA because of the song, and many people have visited a local YMCA to take advantage of the facilities they offer. Matthew Baird WPI knows that many YMCA’s offer a swimming pool, gym, basketball courts, batting cages, tennis courts, and other athletics facilities, at a reasonable cost, or sometimes for free. This is a great service in Matthew Baird WPI’s opinion, because many people can’t afford to pay $100 or more a month for a gym membership to stay active. Matthew Baird WPI is also glad that neighborhood kids are able to use the facilities to play sports and develop their skills, since without a YMCA they might not have the facilities necessary. Some neighborhoods can’t afford to maintain a baseball diamond or basketball courts, so it is great, in Matthew Baird WPI’s opinion, that the YMCA can provide this service.

At the YMCA in Stoughton, MA, Matthew Baird WPI worked as a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor. This was in 2009,  after he graduated from Coyle and Cassidy High School in Taunton, MA. As a lifeguard, Matthew Baird WPI was responsible for the safety of any kids or adults using the pool during his shift. Lifeguards like Matthew Baird WPI are fully trained and certified in CPR and rescue techniques, as well as first aid, so that they can administer any needed care in the case of an emergency. Matthew Baird WPI was also responsible for enforcing the rules of the pool, to reduce the chances of an accident or emergency. In this way, Matthew Baird WPI helped to keep the YMCA pool safe for kids and adults to have a fun time and cool off in the summer, without unnecessary risks or danger. Although he no longer works as a lifeguard, Matthew Baird WPI really enjoyed his time at the YMCA in Stoughton, and values the skills that he learned while working there.

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

Matthew Baird WPI plays Golf for UMass Dartmouth



Matthew Baird WPI is currently enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in the Charlton School of Business. Matthew Baird WPI is studying for his BS in marketing and business, and will graduate in May of 2013, very soon. When he isn’t studying hard to improve his business acumen, Matthew Baird WPI is participating as a member of the UMass Dartmouth Golf Team.

As a member of the golf team, Matthew Baird WPI is glad to represent his university at events and competitions around the state. In a golf competition, golfers compete individually. Then Matthew Baird WPI and his teammates’ scores are combined, and compared to the scores of the other teams.

There are two ways that golf matches can be scored: match play and stroke play. In match play, a team (or individual) earns a point for every hole at which they outperform their competitors. So, if Matthew Baird WPI reached a hole with only 4 strokes, when all his competitors required 5 or 6 strokes, he would earn the point for that hole. In stoke play, Matthew Baird WPI’s score would depend on exactly how many strokes he required to reach the hole. Matthew Baird WPI’s score would then be compared to the other competitors, and the lowest score (usually a birdie if reached under-par, or par if reached just at par) wins the hole and earns a point. Stroke play is by far the more common scoring method, but Matthew Baird WPI knows that a few tournaments do use match play instead.

Matthew Baird WPI has really enjoyed playing golf for University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and made some great friends on the golf team. Since golf is a sport where players are constantly looking to improve their own skills, Matthew Baird WPI knows that it is helpful to give each other pointers and to learn from your teammates.