I am currently majoring in civil engineering with a minor in environmental studies and sustainability. My chosen degree path will help me accomplish my career goal of making cities more sustainable. I can combine my technical knowledge and environmental consciousness to address the pressing challenges faced by modern cities, like pollution and car-centric infrastructure. By pursuing this field of study, I aim to contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure, reduce the carbon footprint of urban areas, and enhance the quality of life for communities. As a civil engineering student, I am inspired by my long-term goal of making a tangible difference in the world by contributing to the development of sustainable infrastructure, reducing the carbon footprint of urban areas, and enhancing the quality of life for communities. My short-term goal is to use what I learn in my courses, as well has using any potential research or internship experience to determine which discipline of civil engineering will allow me to succeed the most. As a sophomore, I am just beginning to dive into my major-specific classes. I entered college with an idea of my long-term career goals, but those are not set in stone. As I learn more about each civil engineering discipline, whether it be transportation, structural, environmental, or water resources, there is room for my goals to change. As I become more knowledgeable in these areas, I might alter my goals to fit more of what the field looks like currently. That is why one of my short-term goals is to become more well-versed in my fields of interest so that I can understand the feasibility of reaching my long-term goals. Furthermore, I am very determined to land myself one or two internships before I graduate from college. My biggest goal of an internship is to see first-hand what it is like day-to-day as an engineer. Once I put myself in the shoes of an engineer at a reputable company, I can get more of an understanding of what I would be expected to do as an engineer. Similarly, I can use my work experience to understand how realistic my long-term goals are. Then I could see first-hand the speed at which certain projects move, the resources engineers have to completed projects, and how much creativity they have in the design of these projects. As for long-term goals, my choice of majoring in civil engineering with a minor in environmental studies and sustainability will help me accomplish my career goal of making cities more sustainable. The biggest area of interest for me is sustainable transportation systems. The transportation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in cities. With my experience in civil engineering, I aim to design and implement efficient public transportation networks and promote active transportation options like cycling and walking. By improving accessibility and reducing reliance on private vehicles, we can alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create more livable urban spaces. Having just completed my third semester of college, I have not begun to take many civil engineering-specific classes, but I plan on taking transportation and urban planning electives once I reach my junior and senior year. I can use the STEM principles learned in those classes, as well as all the engineering classes I have taken to reach my career goal. Some STEM principles could include the use of advanced computer modeling and simulation techniques to analyze traffic patterns, optimize signal timings, and develop efficient transportation networks. Using these principles, I can accurately predict traffic flows, evaluate the impact of proposed infrastructure projects, and design sustainable transportation solutions that enhance connectivity, reduce congestion, and promote environmental sustainability. I can combine my technical knowledge and environmental consciousness to address the pressing challenges faced by modern cities, like pollution and car-centric infrastructure. By pursuing this field of study, I aim to contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure, reduce the carbon footprint of urban areas, and enhance the quality of life for communities. The biggest area of interest for me is sustainable transportation systems. The transportation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in cities. With my experience in civil engineering, I aim to design and implement efficient public transportation networks and promote active transportation options like cycling and walking. By improving accessibility and reducing reliance on private vehicles, we can alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create more livable urban spaces. Being a woman in civil engineering can come with its own set of challenges in a traditionally male-dominated field. One of the biggest obstacles is gender bias and stereotypes. As a woman, I have faced skepticism about my abilities and encountered a lack of respect and recognition for my expertise. One way I have overcome these challenges is by establishing credibility through competence. Excelling in academics, being well-prepared, and showcasing expertise in projects or discussions has helped me break down stereotypes. Having confidence in my abilities has helped shift perceptions within an academic environment. Additionally, seeking out mentorship and support networks specifically for women in engineering can be invaluable. I am a Women in Engineering mentor at Michigan State University where I mentor a current freshman also pursuing a career in civil engineering. Connecting with other female engineers as mentors or mentees provides guidance, advice, and a supportive network to navigate challenges. These mentorship relationships can offer insights into handling gender-related issues and offer strategies to thrive in the field. Lastly, another key aspect is advocating for myself and others. Women in engineering should feel empowered to speak up, assert their ideas, and contribute actively in professional settings. Along with being a part of WIE, I am a member of Phi Sigma Rho, which is a sorority for women in engineering. It is a very rewarding organization where I can build connections with other women sharing my struggles. We advocate and support each other throughout our undergraduate journey, which is very fulfilling and inspiring.

Protecting the environment is something that is very important to me. Over the past couple of years, I have become very passionate about reducing the amount of waste I produce and finding ways to be more sustainable. I began buying most of my clothes second-hand and stopped using as many single-use plastic products. For example, instead of using plastic water bottles, I opt for a reusable metal water bottle. Also, the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters, so instead of buying all of my clothes new like I used to, I have begun shopping second-hand and buying clothes that otherwise would end up in a landfill. Despite all my personal efforts, it can be hard to make a real difference with my own individual actions. That's why I want to use my passion for sustainability in my career. In college, I want to study mechanical engineering. Engineering is one of the most impactful careers on the planet. Engineers solve many of the world’s biggest problems every day. That’s why I want to become an engineer, to make a difference. As an engineer, I will strive to make a better future for my generation and those to come. My goal is to make clean, renewable energy more accessible and affordable to everyone. Mechanical engineers are an integral part of the expanding sustainable energy field by developing technologies such as wind turbines, hydropower infrastructure, and solar panels. I believe that I can succeed as a mechanical engineer because I am driven to make a change and I can use my knowledge to work on something I am truly passionate about. The impact I want to make is for people to value the preservation of the environment and do everything they can to protect it.

My leadership and service has greatly impacted my community and myself. My most notable leadership experience is being the treasurer of my school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. In this position, along with the other officers, I plan events and ceremonies for the National Honor Society. Most recently, we helped organize the induction ceremony for newly added students. In the future, I intend to plan several fundraisers. As treasurer, it’s very important that I monitor our funds and find ways to raise money while also helping our community. A few fundraising ideas I’ve had are a bottle and can recycling drive, where we collect bottles and cans from students at school, which we can bring to a recycling center and raise money that way. This would benefit our program and also the environment so not as many single-use bottles would go to the landfill. Another fundraiser would be a “fun night” for elementary and middle school students. The idea for this is that we plan activities for the kids while their parents are able to have a date night or get things done they normally wouldn’t be able to with kids. Another leadership opportunity I’ve had is being treasurer for the Rotary Club at my school, which is a community service club. This club has given me an opportunity to benefit my community. We have participated in trail cleanup, yard work for disabled community members, and volunteering at community events. As treasurer, much like in the National Honor Society, I organize fundraising and volunteer opportunities as well as monitoring our funds. Another way I give back to my community is by volunteering at Foodlink, which is a local organization that provides food to people in need. While volunteering there, I worked with people from many different backgrounds. I also developed a sense of accomplishment. I am very fortunate and through volunteer work I am able to give back to people in need. These opportunities have helped me value service and establish a closer connection with my community. I have met life-minded people that want to see a change in the world. As a leader within my school, I’ve had to learn to collaborate with others. Working on a team has taught me how to communicate effectively and how to use our unique skills together. Similarly, my service to my community has taught me to appreciate what I have. These skills are invaluable because I will continue to use them in college and as I enter the workforce. Being treasurer, I’ve had to work as a group with the other officers. In my life, I will continue to work with others, whether it be for a big project or simply brainstorming ideas. In conclusion, my experiences as a leader and with helping others has taught me lifelong lessons that I will continue to use and expand on throughout my journey.

Giving back is very important to me and I find many ways to give back to my community. For example, I am treasurer for the Rotary Club at my school, which is a community service club. This club has given me an opportunity to benefit my community. We have participated in trail cleanup, yard work for disabled community members, and volunteering at community events. As treasurer, I organize fundraising and volunteer opportunities, such as a bottle and can drive, as well as monitoring our funds. Another way I give back to my community is by volunteering at Foodlink, which is a local organization that provides food to people in need. While volunteering there, I worked with people from many different backgrounds. I also developed a sense of accomplishment. I am very fortunate and through volunteer work I am able to give back to people in need. These opportunities have helped me value service and establish a closer connection with my community. I have met life-minded people that want to see a change in the world. I’ve had to learn to collaborate with others. Working on a team has taught me how to communicate effectively and how to use our unique skills together. Similarly, my service to my community has taught me to appreciate what I have. These skills are invaluable because I will continue to use them in college and as I enter the workforce. In conclusion, my experiences as a leader and with helping others has taught me lifelong lessons that I will continue to use and expand on throughout my journey.

One thing that fuels my life is my goal of becoming an engineer. I first became interested in pursuing a career in engineering during my freshman year of high school. At first, I didn’t really know what engineering was so I enrolled in a technology class at school. I immediately fell in love with it. I liked creating 3D models and blueprints on CAD software. I liked building a prototype and continuously testing it to find ways to make it better. Math has always been my favorite subject because it just makes sense to me. But with engineering, I can apply my love of math to something that will make an impact. Engineering is one of the most impactful careers on the planet. Engineers solve many of the world’s biggest problems every day. That’s why I want to become an engineer, to make a difference. In college, I want to study mechanical engineering. I chose mechanical engineering because it will not only give me many opportunities, but it aligns with my career goals. As an engineer, I will strive to make a better future for my generation and those to come. My goal is to make clean, renewable energy more accessible and affordable to everyone. I am very passionate about reducing our carbon footprint, so I want to use my knowledge in technology to fight against this growing issue. Mechanical engineers are an integral part of the expanding sustainable energy field by developing technologies such as wind turbines, hydropower infrastructure, and solar panels. I believe that I can succeed as a mechanical engineer because I am driven to make a change and I can use my knowledge to work on something I am truly passionate about.

Engineering is one of the most impactful careers on the planet. Engineers solve many of the world’s biggest problems every day. That’s why I want to become an engineer, to make a difference. Engineers make an impact everywhere, no matter how small. But my ambitions are bigger. Climate change is a problem that is affecting everyone and will affect our future generations even more. I want Earth to be a safe place for future generations to grow up on. My goal as an engineer is to try to combat the global issue of climate change. In college, I want to major in mechanical engineering with a minor in sustainability or energy engineering. With this skill set, I can pursue an engineering career focused on the environment. As of right now, I would like to focus on renewable energy because I feel like that is something that could shape our future. As a society, we need to move away from using fossil fuels because they’re destroying our environment and eventually we’ll run out. However, they’re good for our economy and easy to use. I believe if we make renewable energy more accessible, it will become more common than fossil fuels. The main problem with renewable energy at the moment is cost and accessibility. As an engineer, I want to combat that issue. I believe that we can make renewable energy cost-efficient and easy to install. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to get solar panels put on your house. One of the main issues is that solar panels are very expensive, which deters people from making the investment. However, after the initial cost, your energy bill will decrease significantly. Since this technology is still new, once we become more experienced with the design and development of solar panels, there is the possibility that the price will become more accommodating to middle-class households. Furthermore, certain areas don’t get enough sunlight for solar panels to be useful, so I would like to explore other options for renewable energy in a household setting. It’s not practical to have a giant windmill in your backyard, but perhaps there are other ways we can harness the wind to power our homes. In conclusion, as an engineer, I would like to work towards my ultimate goal of making Earth a safer place for our future generations. I believe that clean energy is vital for our future and I would use my expertise to find ways to make it more accessible for families and homes.

My favorite scientist is Katherine Johnson because she’s an amazing pioneer for space travel. I feel that women’s accomplishments in science often go overlooked and especially as a women of color. Katherine Johnson is a brilliant mathematician and succeeded in a very high-stakes environment. Her rigor and perseverance inspires me every day as a young woman in STEM.

Something that makes me happy is swimming. I have participated in swimming for about 5 years both in and out of school. I began swimming at my school in 7th grade and my passion for the sport just grew from there. I joined a year-round swim club in 8th grade where I swam in practices and meets. The club swimming experience is much different than school because the meets are much larger and you get to meet people from all over your area. Because of my experience doing club swimming, I knew swimmers from many different schools. When I would swim against them during my varsity season, it was weird because we're so used to swimming together. Swimming helped me make connections with many people I otherwise would've never met. It's also nice when I reconnect with old coaches and friends that I met while swimming. Although swimming can be challenging and there are many times when I wanted to quit, I can never replace the friendships and experiences I've made along the way. Swimming has also taught me the importance of determination because even though there were times when I'd get frustrated and feel hopeless, I knew that there were always people that supported me and I could overcome whatever I was feeling.

The year was 2016. It was the first day of school. My best friend and I were walking towards the gym, my heart thumping in my chest. I think I’m pretty good, I thought to myself. I got this, I can make the team. But that’s the thing about 7th grade modified volleyball. It crushes your dreams. Well, not really, but it sure did seem like that when the coach pulled me aside and told me everything I did wrong during the 3 days of try-outs. I remember running out to my mom, crying. I got cut from the volleyball team. And to make matters worse, my best friend didn’t. It seemed like the worst day of my life, but in reality, it was a blessing in disguise. The next day, I signed up for cross country. While cross country didn’t stick for me, it did help me realize that getting cut from the volleyball team was just a minor setback. That winter, I joined the swim team. Now, swimming did stick. I enjoyed it so much that I joined my local swim club. Come the next swim season, I was the fastest swimmer on the team. Part of the reason I enjoy swimming so much is because you can really see your improvement every time you swim. There’s something very special about looking up at the scoreboard and seeing a best time. And knowing all of that was you. I was devastated when I found out that I hadn’t made the volleyball team, but that experience helped me realize the importance of failure. Sometimes you can't control the circumstances and you’ll have to learn to bounce back. It’s important to not dwell on your mistakes and instead view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

One cartoon that has greatly impacted my life is Gravity Falls. I remember watching it for the first time and being hooked immediately. Gravity Falls was my first real experience being involved in such a large fanbase. It helped me discover new interests and make friends with similar interests. Because of Gravity Falls, I found my love for the supernatural, which branched out into other genres like horror and superheroes. I also discovered my knack for making costumes and cosplaying when I made matching Dipper and Mabel costumes for Halloween. Gravity Falls explored themes in family and working together, which I carried into my everyday life. Gravity Falls has since ended, but it will always hold a special place in my heart because it introduced me to many other shows and movies that shape who I am today.