Q: Where are you from?
A: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Q: Why did you choose Michigan Tech?
A: I grew up vacationing in this area with my family, but it wasn’t until I came up for the Summer Youth (engineering scholars ) program that I realized Michigan Tech was the school for me.
Q: Why Civil Engineering?
A: Growing up, I always wanted to be an engineer, but needed to decide on a direction. Bridges, dams, and buildings seemed interesting to work on. Combine those with the fact that civil engineers get to be outside, and I was sold.
Q: What has been your favorite class?
A: The most influential class for me has been statics because it is the foundation for analyzing structures; the core for civil engineering.
Q: What has been your most rewarding experience?
A: In my first year I finished with a GPA above 3.0 and that has given me the confidence to persevere.
Q: What are the strengths of the civil engineering department ?
A: With the hands-on courses and labs, we’re prepared to (at the very least) think the way we need to think to succeed outside of college. The faculty have all worked in industry and still have connections. They are always aware of what is going on or changes that are coming to better prepare us as students.
Q: Can you tell us about your internship or co-op experience?
A: Through Michigan Tech, I was able to gain experience on an internship with an asphalt construction company in their quality control center, where I worked on estimating and did some construction management. On the job, I saw firsthand how the courses and lab work prepare us for a career.
Q: What is your expected graduation date?
A: I will graduate in December 2018 or May 2019.
Q: What do you envision for your future career?
A: In civil, my interest lies in structures, so I hope to start a career in that field with a consulting firm.
What’s next?
Designing and constructing bridges, dams, and roads sounds interesting, but how do you know if it is the right career path for you? We suggest visiting our website to learn about the cool things our students are doing through Senior Design, co-ops and internships, and their study abroad opportunities. Even better, we suggest you visit campus and meet our students, talk to our faculty, and experience the Michigan Tech community for yourself.