Clubs and activities
I was a member of Digital Women and the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Student Advisory Board. I was also a teaching assistant for CPRE 381.
Valuable hands-on learning in class
I took CPRE 488, Embedded Systems Design, during my second-to-last semester, and while the labs were challenging and very time-consuming, they were really cool and gave me useful experience working with both hardware and software. I learned a lot about core concepts and protocols in embedded systems. Getting a project working after spending countless hours in the lab was always very rewarding.
Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience
I gained a lot of valuable industry experience in my internships and co-op. While you learn a lot in school, you have limited opportunities to apply this knowledge in real-world situations. Most recently, I completed a software engineering internship at Oracle, and working in a fast-paced, professional environment has prepared me to enter the workforce after graduating.
Most influential mentor
During my time at Iowa State, Dr. Henry Duwe, an Electrical and Computer Engineering professor, has definitely impacted me the most. He’s been my professor for multiple classes and was the advisor for my senior design project. I’ve also been a TA for him. By the end of the first week I had him as a professor, he knew each student in the class by name, and that immediately stuck out to me. He is passionate about teaching and genuinely cares about students. His classes and instruction have challenged me and ultimately made me a better engineer and person.
Best memory/greatest accomplishment
My favorite memories at Iowa State are probably just studying with friends. Although I can’t guarantee we were the most productive, we always shared lots of laughs and had fun conversations. I’ve made lifelong friends here, and they are one of the highlights of my college experience.
Plans after graduation
I will be working at Oracle as a software engineer.
Support from Engineering Career Services
The Career Fair was a great way to network with recruiters and learn about internship opportunities. It gave me the chance to talk to several companies and explore the different positions available. I was able to get my co-op through the career fair, and it has really benefited me in my journey as an engineer.
Making my mark on the world
I want to leave a positive impact on everyone I cross paths with. Whether it’s students I’ve TA’ed, classmates, or future coworkers and mentors, I want to help create an environment where everyone can work together, share their ideas, and learn from one another.
Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer
Being an engineer at Iowa State means pushing yourself to reach your full potential and helping others along the way. I’ve put in a lot of hard work, and I certainly wouldn’t have accomplished as much without the support from the people around me. The Iowa State community is full of faculty, staff, mentors, and other students that all want to see you succeed.
What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State
Iowa State has helped me grow in ways I never really imagined. Going into college, I was unsure of what I would learn or experience. Since then, I’ve gotten so many great opportunities and gained the skills and knowledge I need to succeed. I am now confident in myself as an engineer, and I know I have the foundation to pursue my goals.
Most inspiring location on campus
Coover Hall, the Electrical and Computer Engineering building, has always been my home away from home. There have certainly been days or weeks where I’ve spent more time in a lab room than in my own bedroom. I’ve made a lot of memories there studying with friends, working with classmates, and finishing projects.