Why Mount?
I chose Mount Union because of the unique academic and extracurricular opportunities offered, including the global experience in engineering and the Baja SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) team. I was further attracted to the small school atmosphere that would allow me to get to know my peers and professors on a personal level outside of class. After leaving the university, I still find myself connecting with faculty and staff at the university! I love Mount Union for its community and values. Professors and staff members were always encouraging and supportive of my ambitious goals, my peers in extracurriculars shared a similar passion for keeping campus lively, and the Alliance community was always pleased to hear from and engage with Mount Union students through events and community service. Mount Union was always a happy place to be, and there was always something exciting going on in the evenings, whether it was an RPB event, participating in fitness classes, or spending time in extracurricular activities!
Involvement and Internships
I was involved in leadership roles as a student, whether it was in Spiritual Life Leadership (the governing organization for religious organizations) or World Service Club (an international volunteering club). These roles helped me develop the leadership skills I use as an engineer and to collaborate with a diverse group of individuals. I interned after each academic school year at companies that helped me grow my interests in test engineering, fluid systems, and programming, including Nordson Corporation and NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) MSFC (Marshall Space Flight Center). Through these, I was able to network with fellow interns and young professionals who were able to act as a mentor for my professional career. Each opportunity I pursued during my undergrad career helped me gain the confidence I needed to pursue my wildest dreams.
Staying Connected
Since graduating, I still keep in touch with some of my professors and peers through LinkedIn and social media. Although I’ve moved out of state, I stay connected with the University through their alumni social media pages and alumni events when I can. I know how impactful it was for me to talk to alumni about my career goals as an undergrad student, so my hope is to provide the same support to current students now that I’m an alumna.
Career
I love being able to collaborate with dozens of professionals with similar interests in the aerospace and defense industries. There is always something new to learn, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in aerospace and STEM-related activities in the St Louis community. Although I’m still exploring possible concentrations within the aerospace industry, I have enjoyed topics in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and analytical mechanics in my undergrad courses. I really enjoy programming, specifically with Python, and hope to one day incorporate it into my career as well. One of my goals is to further my education with a master’s degree as I continue to explore topics in aerospace engineering, and perhaps gain a private pilot certificate as well.