Where are you from?
Vancouver, Washington
What school do you go to? What year are you?
Washington State University, 2015
Do you hold any positions in your AIChE chapter or with AIChE nationally?
President of WSU Student Chapter of AIChE
Describe an event in your chapter that you are most proud to have been involved with.
1st Annual Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering Evening with Industry: The goal was to connect alumni and industry members with current students to create a stronger network. It was sold out.
What are your plans after graduation? In what field are you most interested in having an impact?
The world is covered in water, but because of pollution, waterborne diseases, or lack of access, people are dying. I want to work nationally and internationally as a water engineer, to meet the needs for clean water.
How do you blow off steam and keep your sanity between classes, homework and projects?
As every chemical engineering student or graduate knows, your classes become your life. What was really special about my classes was the community. Classes didn't really feel like class because you were with your friends. After class or after homework, I loved playing intramural sports or going out with the gang.
Which of your undergraduate classes have you most enjoyed?
My favorite undergraduate chemical engineering class was introduction to chemical engineering because it was when I realized that I would really enjoy the next three years. But honestly, having the opportunity to take two senior designs was the best part of my undergraduate education. My chemical engineering design taught me to design for a stakeholder. My entrepreneurship one allowed me to analyze a market, work with a cross discipline team, and create Go-kefi.com. With these experiences, I know that with my WSU chemical engineering degree there are no bounds to what I can do.
How did you decide to pursue a degree in ChE?
I have always wanted to be an engineer since I was a little kid. Both my parents are engineers. My final decision really came down to how I want to achieve my goal of becoming a water engineer. Many chemical engineers go into oil, but water engineering also needs dedicated chemical engineers to help design processes. I want to go into water engineering with a different perspective.
What is the best kept secret on your campus?
It's not really a secret, but the WSU Harold Frank Program. The Harold Frank Program gave me the opportunity to take two senior design classes and see buisness, communications, and engineering working together. As part of the program, we went to the Silicon Valley and met with amazing Cougar alumni doing fantastic things at Pebble, Google, wineries...
What are you most looking forward to after graduation?
I am looking forward to exploring the world, both for work and for fun. I love trying new food, experiencing new cultures, and seeing new places.
What will you be most saddened to leave behind at school when you move on?
Leaving the lifestyle of daily contact with my friends as we move into different career paths in different areas, will be the hardest thing for me.
What is the most unexpected thing you have been asked in an interview?
When interviewing for a internship for a water project in Bagamoya, Tanzania, I rode a bajaji (motorcycle) for ten minutes, a bus for an hour and a half, and then another bajaji for an hour into the African bush. After I finished the interview, they asked "Do you think you can get back?" The bajaji had left, so I admitted I needed a ride to the bus. I accepted their offer to the bus and the job.
Do you have any advice to incoming students and underclassmen ChEs around the world?
Get involved! I am sure that everyone says this, but it is really true. When you look at the students that find the most success in classes, it's the students that get involved. I honestly can't imagine what college would had been like without AIChE, intramural sports, or the Newman Center.
What's your first thought when you wake up in the morning?
Where will I go next?
How would you like to be involved with AIChE after graduation?
I really appreciated the alumni that volunteered, giving tours and career advise. I hope that I will be able to stay involved and do the same.