Extracurricular Activities
Oregon Tech Softball, Tau Beta Pi Member (Engineering Honors Society)
A Little Bit About Me
I grew up in Golden, Colorado, loving the outdoors, and science. I love to hike, play pickleball, travel, skiing, and go paddleboarding in my free time. I love spending time outdoors with my family and going to my brother's basketball games.
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
I knew I wanted to major in engineering since my 7th grade engineering class with Mr. Swift. We learned all about the different types of engineering, designing, building, and testing processes, and about what it means to work on a team. At the time, I also loved to play softball, working in a competitive atmosphere with other girls my age was thrilling for me. When high school approached, I found that a lot of colleges didn't want to sign athletes who were pursuing STEM majors, especially engineering. I looked into doing environmental science, which is when I found out about Oregon Tech. I could play softball here while also studying a degree I feel passionately about. Renewable Energy Engineering gave me a chance to combine my love of nature with engineering, and the current environmental crisis. This major gives me the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Along with school and softball, Klamath Falls is a beautiful location with so many opportunities to explore the outdoors and meet people with similar passions.
My Influential Professors
The most influential professors I've had at Oregon Tech are Dr. Kari Lundgren and Dr. Jesse Kinder. I had Dr. Lundgren for a writing course during my freshman and sophomore years. She has made me a better communicator, and writer, and opened my eyes to all of the options I have in the professional world. I learned how to write in technical terms, which has been very beneficial as I take on internships and other professional opportunities. I had Dr. Kinder for a physics course this past year, and his passion for the subject radiated into all the students around him. His class opened my eyes to the implications physics has on our everyday life, and in engineering.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
My greatest experience at Oregon Tech was on a trip with the Outdoor Program. We went on a camping and hiking trip to Bend last fall, with around 12 students. I only knew a few from classes we had taken together, so while we were sitting around the fire everybody was introducing themselves, their majors, and their graduation plans. As people began to talk, someone began talking about their senior project which involved designing a new type of asphalt that was more durable, so it wouldn't break down from weather or cars. Before you know it, she was pulling samples out of the back of her car, and we were all collaborating about how to design the most durable asphalt sample. Although this experience wasn't in class, it was a culmination of a bunch of engineering majors who were applying what they had learned to a new friend's project. This opened my eyes to how well school was preparing us for life events, and it was so motivating to be with people who were equally as passionate about their studies.
My Plans After Graduation
After graduation, I plan on going to graduate school in the West, possibly for energy technologies, or mechanical engineering. After this, I plan on starting my career as an engineer. Although this is a loose structure for my future, I believe that there will be opportunities along the way that will help shape my career plan.