Emma Ostrowski: Outstanding senior in biological systems engineering

Clubs and activities

The Engineering Ambassador and Mentor Program (TEAM)

Valuable hands-on learning in class

My most valuable hands-on learning experience was in my Ecosystem Restoration Engineering class. We partnered with landscape architecture students from the College of Design and a city in Iowa to do a stream restoration project. We went through the entire process of talking to the client to see what they wanted/needed, doing the required calculations, then designing our solutions and presenting them to the client. It really showed me what it was going to be like in the industry, and it was overall just a really fun experience.

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My best memory at Iowa State was my first homecoming week. My friends and I watched Yell Like Hell, and then later that night, the midnight fireworks. It was so much fun and made me so excited to be at Iowa State. Then we went to the game the next day where we beat ranked Oklahoma State with a field goal at the end of the game. We stormed the field and celebrated with the team and the entire student section.

Plans after graduation

I have a graduate engineer position at WSB engineering doing water resource engineering.

A memorable moment of kindness

I have a regular at work that is just always so nice to me and always has faith in me during stressful weeks. He always had a piece of advice for me or a good story that helped me throughout my time here. I’ll really miss him.

Persevering through challenging times

There wasn’t ever a time where I wasn’t sure that engineering was for me, but there were definitely times where I doubted if I was able to become an engineer. The biggest thing that helped me were my friends in engineering and the tutors that I got to help me through some of the harder classes.

Support from Engineering Career Services

Engineering Career Services was a big help in getting both of my internships. They helped me make sure my resume was well-organized and helped me prepare for the Career Fair. They also gave me advice my sophomore year when I was trying to decide between two different internships.

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

To me, engineering “like a Cyclone Engineer” means learning through hands-on experiences both in and out of the classroom. It means that you are prepared to not only be an engineer but to work with other disciplines and any future clients.

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

I would tell younger me that Iowa State was the best decision I would ever make. Not only did I learn how to be an amazing engineer, but I made amazing friends and connections, and experienced things I never would have thought possible. I did two internships, a semester abroad, a service-learning trip to Uganda, and a project with an actual city before I even graduated, and so many other things I can’t even think of.

Most inspiring location on campus

I feel most inspired in Sukup Hall. I spend about 90% of my time in this building, and it is a place where I have done almost all of my projects and homework.