Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina

Current year: Senior

Emily is president of Purdue CESAC.

Why I chose Purdue Civil Engineering

I have always had an interest in public transit. As a kid, me and my family would visit big cities in America like New York and San Francisco and I was amazed by how accessible and convenient the cities’ public transportation was. As I got older and started to consider studying engineering, civil engineering and its focus on transportation immediately drew me in.

Emphasis area

My emphasis area is in Transportation Engineering. My dream is to one day be able to be involved in the design of a transit system from start to finish and then use it myself. I think all cities and states should work toward a more robust public transportation system — and I want to help see that happen.

While at Purdue, Emily interned at Kimley-Horn. She has since accepted a position with the firm.

CESAC

While I have been studying in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, I have also served as president of the Civil Engineering Student Advisory Council (CESAC). Our biggest project each year is running the annual career fair on campus. This year, we saw more than 200 employers attend and they were all looking to hire students. The career fair is actually how I got my first internship — and then my first job offer.

After I graduate

After I graduate, I will enter the civil engineering career field. I have accepted a position with Kimley-Horn, a civil engineering consulting firm, to work on transit design projects. I interned for the company and I really enjoyed my time there.

Emily said she developed an interest in public transportation at a young age from visiting big cities with her family.