Honestly, my initial feelings toward the University weren't particular strong or confident, but that quickly changed after my first week on campus. I vaguely remember visiting Engineering Open House (EOH) in 7th grade; several years passed and I attended “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day” (IGED) in high school not knowing anything about engineering. It's cheesy, but it was the moment I walked through the double doors of the Union onto the Quad where it just felt right. Some time later I found myself leading EOH projects year after year, volunteering for IGED, and recruiting high-school students to attend UIUC (so cliche, yes).

Illinois brings students from all around the world, quite literally. While I have enjoyed meeting diverse groups of people with varying cultures and backgrounds, I have ended up learning a lot about myself and finding my own place to mark on this campus.

Despite the overwhelming amount of caffeine-driven early mornings, it is incredibly rewarding to know that the skills and knowledge that enrich my everyday schedule goes toward helping people. Engineering forces balance between reality and the impossible. To be caught in-between that gray area is the best place to grow.

EA is founded on the message of "changing the conversation." Promoting this challenge, EA's inspire younger students, peers in STEM or not, professionals, and other academic institutions to greater interconnect communities. Through events that EA hosts, we are able to provide opportunities for not only our students, but also for the students of the future. This driving mission is a statement I aspire to represent and doing it with my EA family makes it all the better.

If a certain STEM field is an area that you are passionate in exploring and struggling through, then only you can stop yourself. STEM is all about the "so what" factor. Identifying a problem and creating a solution that goes beyond solving the immediate issue: examining the consequences and bringing diverse ideas together to create a more safe, efferent, and happy society. The world is waiting for critical thinkers. It’s waiting for you. In its difficulty and uncertainty, make it yours to transform dreams into reality because I believe that you can do it.

Staying within the healthcare field, it is a dream to bridge services and technology on a global scale. I hope to land a full time research and development or project management position after I graduate in the spring and begin my career in the industry!