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Hello, I’m Maddie! I am the current president of the Society of Women Engineers at ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ State and the Secretary for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. Both clubs have played a large role in my college experience since my first year. I have had the opportunity to attend conferences with both groups where I’ve built my professional network and grown my self-confidence. 

Traveling abroad was not something I thought I would have a chance to do in college, but I was able to go on two 2-week faculty abroad trips. One was in Ecuador and focused on food science, and the other was in Peru, focused on philosophy. During both experiences, I got to learn about communities in the area and challenge my current perspectives.  

Internships are a great way to go beyond learning in the classroom. I first interned with Georgia Pacific, where I was a project manager for a small capital project. This past summer, I worked for HP as a sustainability intern, where I looked into their sustainability strategy. Both internships helped me learn about what I do and do not want in a full-time position. 

My advice for incoming students is to get involved early. Try out multiple clubs to see what sticks, and go to professional events early to get a feel for things before you need a job. Lastly, make sure you are taking the time to do things you enjoy and build your community!