Q&A

CLASSIFICATION: Sophomore

MAJOR/MINOR/DEGREE PROGRAM: Mechanical Engineering

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Peru, New York

FAVORITE THING ABOUT HERFF ENGINEERING? I appreciate how community oriented engineering is at Memphis. It's nice to always see somebody I know walking through the halls and to know I'm supported by my peers and the staff.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? I aspire to get a job that allows me to use my creative interests. I'd love to start off in a design-focused position and eventually open my own engineering firm!

WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS OR HOBBIES? I love arts and crafts, hammocking, interior design, caring for my indoor plant collection, paddle boarding, traveling, trying different coffee shops, organizing, and fashion!

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE ENGINEERING? I feel confident and excited about my pursuit of an engineering career because I know it's an ever-growing field with diverse areas of interest. It's comforting to know that I have the ability to change my mind and pursue so many different careers with just one degree.

ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY? WHERE AND HOW DO YOU VOLUNTEER? I volunteer at a local college ministry called the Vue. I'm also a member of Kappa Delta sorority, which provides me with many volunteer opportunities, including with the Girl Scouts of America, Prevent Child Abuse of America, and the Confidence Coalition. I also volunteer with the West TN STEM Hub.

WHAT STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? I was concerned about getting involved in college while pursuing an engineering degree, but I've had plenty of opportunities for extracurricular involvement while still being successful academically! I'm the Peer Mentor for the Engineering Living Learning Community on campus, I'm a member of Kappa Delta sorority, I serve on the leadership team of a local college ministry, I'm a member of the Society of Women Engineers, and I'm in an honor society called the Order of Omega.

HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY RESEARCH? IF SO, DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE. I have not participated in research yet, but I plan to begin working in a lab next year!

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?   I currently have two jobs as a STEM Ambassador for the West TN STEM Hub and an administrative assistant in the Herff Engineering Business Office. My engineering major and networking within the engineering department provided me with those opportunities! I'm currently in the process of looking for a summer internship to gain some experience in the field.

“I've always been both right and left brained. I love the arts and opportunities to create, but I also am very logical and appreciate order. When deciding on a major/career, I felt like I had to choose something that allows me to be creative OR logical, with little opportunity to merge the two. When I began looking into engineering, I knew I had to pursue it because it would give me the opportunity to marry my two seemingly conflicting interests.”