Chemical and Biological Engineering

From the moment I moved into the dorms my freshman year, Montana State University was the place to be, particularly in the college of engineering. I wasn’t completely sold on studying engineering until the end of my freshman year. After spending two semesters as a chemical engineering major – with its amazing faculty and exciting coursework – I was sold.

While this is my first year as an ePal, I have spent my college career as part of several other organizations and communities, my first year here was spent living on the engineering floor in Hannon hall, building relationships with my fellow engineering ladies. I spent the year as a Resident Advisor in Hapner, where I was challenged to broaden my world to engage with MSU outside of engineering. This also helped me refine my leadership abilities and people skills.

I have spent a large portion of my collegiate career immersing myself in colleges of engineering at several universities.  I’ve had the opportunity to work as a student researcher in a microfluidics lab at MSU, a biofilms lab at Washington State University, and an electronics/microfabrication lab at University of Iowa. I’m also in my second year as an Engineering Ambassador for the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. Of all my experiences, MSU has been the most vibrant, welcoming, and pro-undergraduate university by far.

 My biggest hobby – if you can call it a hobby - is going to concerts and music festivals. Traveling as far as Chicago and Grand Rapids, I like to make trips out of it. Additionally, I’m currently trying to teach myself bass guitar. I also like spending time watching movies and going on adventures with my best friends that I met my freshman year right here at MSU. I try to take advantage of all Bozeman has to offer like hiking, skiing, or even taking a nice easy stroll down the Gallagator with my roommates with a nice warm cup of coffee in hand.

I was originally studying medical technology and microbiology.  My initial college experience was awful until I heard from friends about the Chemical Engineering Department at MSU.  Since I came to MSU, I have absolutely loved my experiences here.  Over the years I have been torn between an Aerospace minor or a Biomedical minor.  Upon reaching my junior year, I opted into studying for an Aerospace minor in hopes of working with propulsion systems.  So far, this has been a great choice.  I have enjoyed everything from the activities in Bozeman, the people, school events, and of course the classes...

I have to admit the engineering professors at MSU have impressed me.  Even though my classes have been extremely difficult, I have been able to enjoy and learn a lot from my classes.  Engineers get this bad rep as being socially awkward or weird, I disagree.  I have met some amazing friends in my classes over the years.  These last few years have been a great experience for me and I would love to help any student that is struggling in college, social life, being an adult, because I can understand the difficulty associated with studying engineering.    

I learned early on how important the balance is between school, sleep, and social life.  Bozeman has so much to offer.  I love hikes, snowboarding, really anything outside, summer or winter. I still haven’t been to enough places around Bozeman.  The sand dunes have been a great escape for me.  My other passion is travel.  Don’t care if it’s two hours down the road or to the other side of the world, I want to go.  I have spent time traveling around Europe and Mexico where I had some of the greatest experiences of my life.  School is pretty important, but finding the balance between school, social life, and sleep is extremely more important.  Still trying to figure out how to get enough sleep.

I didn't think about majoring in engineering until my senior year of high school, and even then didn't seriously consider it until I came to tour MSU that spring. That was when I had the opportunity to sit down with a chemical engineering professor and really talk about what a chemical engineer is, and I realized it encompassed everything that I was interested in. Initially I was nervous that I would end up uninterested once I actually began my degree, but I quickly found that I really enjoyed my classes, professors, and peers.

I've also had the opportunity to work in the environmental engineering lab on campus since my freshman year, which has been a defining experience in my college career. I've worked on projects involved with treatment wetlands, and it's been both a very fun and educational experience. At first doing research sounded intimidating, but my mentor and the grad students working with me all helped at every step along the way, and I've found something that I really love to do.

Bozeman has endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, and I love to ski, hike, and backpack. I  also like having in depth conversations about Gilmore Girls with my roommates, watching the ducks hang out at the duck pond, and playing piano. 

 

 

My time at MSU has been life changing. Although engineering can be very challenging, it is so rewarding. I love being able to piece a huge problem together, and each step give you more information to figure out the next step. The professors have been incredibly helpful and are here to help us learn and make sure we understand what we need to. They challenge us to think from different prospective, but make sure we understand the key points to solve the problems.

At MSU I have learn how to balance school, clubs, friends, and having fun. MSU has also given me so many opportunities, including leading a research project to improve the texture of gluten-free granola. I also look forward to being a member of the Women and Engineering Board. There are so many resources and people who want to help you, and if you reach out there is so much support!

When I’m not studying, you can pretty much always find me outside with my friends. When it’s warm I love hiking and camping, and in the cold I love skiing and snowshoeing. This summer I have gotten into outdoor rock climbing, so I also hope to be climbing quite a bit in Bozeman. I also recently started brewing my own kombucha.

Attending MSU was an easy choice for me—my father graduated from Montana State in electrical engineering, followed by both of my older siblings in other programs across campus. Looking back on my experience, I can confidently say that getting my degree from Montana State was the best decision I could have made. Here I have found a family of peers, advisors, and friends who have supported me, encouraged me, and enabled me to succeed every step of the way. I have been able to heavily pursue music alongside my engineering degrees and have traveled internationally with the MSU choirs. Since my freshman year, I have worked in a research laboratory in my department and have received several grants, presented at various conferences and research symposia, and been published as a co-first author. I have also completed two internships in industry, giving me valuable perspective and experience in different areas of my field. I am so thankful that Montana State has afforded me the opportunities and the support to pursue my passions, chase my goals, and accomplish more than I imagined when I began four years ago.

When I’m not studying, singing choral music, or practicing piano, I love to do anything outside—hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing, or camping, to name a few. I also love to spend time with friends and family enjoying everything Bozeman has to offer.

I grew up in Montana and just wasn't ready to leave. I was inspired at a young age to become an engineer because of my father and only heard of great things about MSU. When I got to campus, I set up camp in the Quad my freshman year and immediately made friends and started getting outside. I have been heavily involved in Engineers without Boarders and the Honors College. I love staying busy and working hard in my classes, but always have felt that Bozeman has a great balanced environment where its students understand how important play time is also. Some of my favorite classes have honors classes or upper level classes that were challenging and engaging. I'm a totally nerd who also loves to be social and have fun and Bozeman is the perfect place for that!

 I have had a great experience at MSU and want to make sure that new students have ways to reach out if they are struggling to connect with people or having a hard time in classes. Everyone deserves to find their home here and I would love to opportunity to help that become a reality.

 I love to do anything outside and active. I ski, climb, run, and bike. I love to connect with people and help others as much as I can through clubs on campus and social gatherings. When its raining and sad outside I love to dance around the kitchen baking yummy things!