Here we are: at the tail end of a global pandemic right smack in the middle of my college career. My first instinct, and probably yours too, is to pity my bad luck. But, as the world saw a major shift, so did I in my college experience. Future employers: I think you’re going to like this. 

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Backtrack to the start of fall 2020. I’ve taken my freshman year to adjust to college, joining one or two organizations just to get a feel for things. With two semesters of class and another of co-op under my belt, it’s high time I branched out. And oh boy, did I branch out.

 

First things first: being a woman in STEM makes it a little difficult to make friends with, you know, other women. We’re few and far between, in computer engineering especially. So I joined a sorority...and immediately became their computer chair. Engineer habits die hard, I guess. But anyway, more female friends: check! Next up, I realized that I love leading - like, really love leading. So when elections rolled around in my engineering fraternity, I took the leap and ran for Vice President. And here I am, leading meetings, managing committees, and conquering a co-op all at once. Being online also gave me the opportunity to dive deeper into things I was already a part of: ROAR Guides (campus tour guides), CEAS Ambassadors (campus tour guides, but for future engineering majors), and University Honors Ambassadors (don’t worry, this one doesn’t give actual tours). And finally, I picked up a minor in what may be the antithesis of engineering, Paralegal Studies. What can I say, IP law is pretty cool.

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So, now that I’ve basically just given a rundown of my resume...so what? Well, this all feels like a turnaround point from a rough transition into college. Not that engineering classes are any easier; quite the opposite. But I’ve identified my people, my organizations, and my interests, and I’m investing in all of them. As I wrote last year’s review, I was hesitantly trying to embrace engineering and pseudo-adulthood. As I write this year's, there is no hesitation - I’m becoming a one-of-a-kind engineer, and as much of an adult as one can be at 20 years old.

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Also, I’m adopting a cat - now THAT is adulthood.