Jeremy Roche ’18 M.Eng. ’18 is Building a Career on His Own Terms

Ever since he arrived at Stevens, Jeremy Roche ’18 M.Eng. ’18 preferred the road less traveled. He was always academically capable and creative, but questioned traditional career paths. In high school, he was overwhelmed by the stressful decision of what to do upon graduation. Roche says that “because I was good at math and science, a lot of people encouraged me to consider engineering. I was told that this would be a good way to be creative while also challenging myself.”

Stevens offered him what he thought he needed to explore: a generous financial aid package, a full range of engineering disciplines, interesting career opportunities, and proximity to New York City. He enrolled as a biomedical engineering major and then pivoted to mechanical engineering, a decision that came about because of a missed opportunity.

“I had applied to Hasbro for an internship to design toys,” Roche recalls. “I wasn’t chosen, but I liked the idea that I could have a job that allowed me to express my creativity. I felt that a mechanical engineering degree would prepare me to be more flexible in my job choices.”

Roche took time early on to try a variety of roles, first in biomed as a design engineer with InspiRx Inc. and then as a process engineer at Zimmer Biomet plus two more as a mechanical engineer in construction management. Ultimately, Roche graduated with a master’s degree in Engineering Management and became a project manager for different construction management companies while also working part time as a consultant for a biomedical company, RBC.

However, engineering was not leading him toward the career he wanted – one that would allow him to build a life that incorporated his multifaceted interests. When pandemic layoffs ended his full-time engineering job, he saw an opportunity to retool his approach. He felt that he was not making full use of his creativity and felt dissatisfied that he couldn’t focus his career on making a positive impact in his community.

Today, Roche keeps himself busy as an engineering consultant, environmental conservationist, and professional paddleboard/kayak instructor while also pursuing his passion for the arts.

He has maintained his role consulting as a mechanical engineer with the RBC Group, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of medical devices.

“RBC is a small, family-owned business that I’ve been involved with since graduating from Stevens,” Roche explains. “I meet with medical experts to learn what they want from a particular instrument or device, and then head to the lab to create and test prototypes to meet their needs. For example, we recently developed a device designed to measure red blood cell counts. It’s challenging and stimulating work, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

During the warmer months, Roche can be found on or near the Hudson River, leading educational kayak and paddleboard programs for Resilience Adventures, based in Hoboken. “We conduct tours, camps, lessons, and workshops for children and adults,” he says, adding that the nonprofit organization is also very invested in environmental conservation.

“We teach our customers about the river and all of the life it supports and we actively monitor and study the local species,” he says. “We also test the water quality regularly. We are currently seeking lab space in or near Hoboken so that we can expand our conservation work.”

While at Stevens, Roche took a drawing class, and it was one of the greatest influences on his future plans. “It opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about what brought me joy,” he says, noting that he was also active in the Stevens Poetry Club. “I dove into creative writing and performance and began to think about how my education could help me create the life I want.”

As a result, Roche prioritizes art along with his other career pursuits. He has developed his craft as an abstract mixed media artist, focusing his work on repurposing trash. His one-man exhibit, “Hoboken Trash: The Works of Jeremy Roche,” was on display at the Hoboken Historical Museum in June and July of 2024. “My art is intended to show the value of what we thoughtlessly throw away,” he says. “Recycling should be a last resort. Instead, we should be focusing on reducing our consumption and reusing items whenever possible. I want the viewer to take a second look at things we deem as ‘trash’ and think twice.”

“My second artistic goal is to show people that art doesn’t have to be perfect and technical,” Roche continues. “Art has so much therapeutic value. You don’t need years of training to make art – it can be whatever you want it to be.”

In the wake of the pandemic, Roche wasn’t sure about how he could succeed when his prior concept of “success” didn’t bring him the satisfaction he expected.

However, when he stopped trying to match other people’s preconceived expectations and followed what inspired him, he improved his own life and his impact on his community. “At Stevens, I learned what is important to me,” he says. “I created my own concept of success and I enjoy living it.”