2016/2017 was a big year for me! I finished my second year as an engineering student, completed my first coop rotation, I took summer classes for the first time, and I traveled to Australia. I did not complete any honors experiences this year, but am hoping to next year!
This year was mainly focused on learning with classes and coop as integral parts of the engineering curriculum at UC. Fall semester was full of interviewing for coops, planning for upcoming semesters, and taking difficult classes. I had many interviews and finally got accepted at a Construction Management firm called Triversity Construction. This was the most difficult part of my year because there was a steep learning curve to this coop. The mentorship was not as organized as I had expected, and there was no engineering duties I performed. During this experience, I learned a variety of soft skills and how to manage people. After coop ended, I did not walk away with greater engineering knowledge, however I learned a lot about the business of construction and the people that make it work. After this coop, I know that I want to go into design work and not construction. I enjoy being challenged, and I want to use my skills to help people through design engineering. Part 1 of coop is now done, and I look forward to having an improved experience at the next one!
One thing I definitely enjoyed during this year was volunteering in my community. In the fall I was a Bearcat Buddy and a Girl Scout leader. I tutored a 1st grader in math and reading, and could really see a difference I was making in his life. Each week we would both look forward to spending that time together learning about each other and helping him learn addition! At the end of the semester, it was hard to leave him but I knew that I had done good work because his grades had improved! As a girl scout leader of 4th-6th graders, I was challenged..but in a good way! These girls kept me on my toes asking me questions all the time. Our curriculum was engineering based, so each week we would build or design something. The most interesting part of this experience was being a girl scout leader of young women during the election. It was extremely important during this time to encourage these girls, broaden their minds, and keep them focused on excelling, without focusing on the negative news stories about women. I appreciated my role in this situation because I recognized its importance and really focused each week on ensuring these girls knew their worth and could look forward to a bright future.
If I could give myself advice for next year, it would be to not stress about interviews. The last coop cycle I had 7 interviews before I got an acceptance. I was one of the last people in my class to get an offer, and it was difficult! I kept thinking there was something wrong with my resume, or I didn't have a high enough GPA. Looking back, nothing was wrong, and my GPA is fine (after all I am in honors :-) ). Next interview cycle I need to think about how I can cater the interview towards the company more and not stress if I don't hear an offer right away. Next year I plan on volunteering again through Bearcat Buddies and Girl Scouts. I also wish to volunteer through a Go Green Cincinnati type of program where I can directly help improve the image of Cincinnati neighborhoods. One goal for next year is to find a coop I like and can stay at for more than 1 rotation. This will be important for my education and real-world experiences.
The most exciting part of my year was traveling to Australia! My brother (a UC Honors Alum) now attends Medical School at the University of Sydney, and over Winter Break my family went to visit him. It is always amazing to travel and learn about different cultures, but this time was special because we had a built-in tour guide! Australia was amazing: I snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef, I saw kangaroos, I ate delicious fish, and I spent some quality time with my family. What more could I ask for?
This year was mainly focused on learning with classes and coop as integral parts of the engineering curriculum at UC. Fall semester was full of interviewing for coops, planning for upcoming semesters, and taking difficult classes. I had many interviews and finally got accepted at a Construction Management firm called Triversity Construction. This was the most difficult part of my year because there was a steep learning curve to this coop. The mentorship was not as organized as I had expected, and there was no engineering duties I performed. During this experience, I learned a variety of soft skills and how to manage people. After coop ended, I did not walk away with greater engineering knowledge, however I learned a lot about the business of construction and the people that make it work. After this coop, I know that I want to go into design work and not construction. I enjoy being challenged, and I want to use my skills to help people through design engineering. Part 1 of coop is now done, and I look forward to having an improved experience at the next one!
One thing I definitely enjoyed during this year was volunteering in my community. In the fall I was a Bearcat Buddy and a Girl Scout leader. I tutored a 1st grader in math and reading, and could really see a difference I was making in his life. Each week we would both look forward to spending that time together learning about each other and helping him learn addition! At the end of the semester, it was hard to leave him but I knew that I had done good work because his grades had improved! As a girl scout leader of 4th-6th graders, I was challenged..but in a good way! These girls kept me on my toes asking me questions all the time. Our curriculum was engineering based, so each week we would build or design something. The most interesting part of this experience was being a girl scout leader of young women during the election. It was extremely important during this time to encourage these girls, broaden their minds, and keep them focused on excelling, without focusing on the negative news stories about women. I appreciated my role in this situation because I recognized its importance and really focused each week on ensuring these girls knew their worth and could look forward to a bright future.
If I could give myself advice for next year, it would be to not stress about interviews. The last coop cycle I had 7 interviews before I got an acceptance. I was one of the last people in my class to get an offer, and it was difficult! I kept thinking there was something wrong with my resume, or I didn't have a high enough GPA. Looking back, nothing was wrong, and my GPA is fine (after all I am in honors :-) ). Next interview cycle I need to think about how I can cater the interview towards the company more and not stress if I don't hear an offer right away. Next year I plan on volunteering again through Bearcat Buddies and Girl Scouts. I also wish to volunteer through a Go Green Cincinnati type of program where I can directly help improve the image of Cincinnati neighborhoods. One goal for next year is to find a coop I like and can stay at for more than 1 rotation. This will be important for my education and real-world experiences.
The most exciting part of my year was traveling to Australia! My brother (a UC Honors Alum) now attends Medical School at the University of Sydney, and over Winter Break my family went to visit him. It is always amazing to travel and learn about different cultures, but this time was special because we had a built-in tour guide! Australia was amazing: I snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef, I saw kangaroos, I ate delicious fish, and I spent some quality time with my family. What more could I ask for?