B.S. EE '21

Hometown: New York City, New York

"Find your community while you are at Purdue. The engineering curriculum can be very tough, but with the right support, you'll see that you're not alone and there are people who will help you along the way. Also, within your community, make sure that you have people who support your growth holistically. While it is important to get good grades and develop your professional skills, it is also important to have fun, prioritize your health and enjoy your time in college."

Campus Involvement:

• National Society of Black Engineers
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
• Minority Engineering Program

Were you involved with the Minority Program Summer Engineering Workshops? If yes, what was your role, and how did you benefit from them?

During the summer of 2017, I attended MEP's Academic Boot Camp and it set me up for success for my next four years at Purdue. The coursework during ABC prepared me for the classes I would take during First-Year Engineering and I learned valuable student tips from the Guaranteed 4.0 seminar. Also, the people I met at ABC became a large part of my support system while I was at Purdue. They became the people I would study with, ask advice, hang out with, and so much more.

Tell our audience about what you have gained from the Minority Engineering Program. How has MEP affected you as an engineering student? What do you get through MEP that you don't get from other programs on campus?

MEP gave me a community of like-minded people who supported my academic, professional, and personal growth. The tutors in the Academic Success Center played a huge role in helping me get through FYE. It gave me a place to collaborate with other students and meet people outside of my major. MEP was one of the few places on campus where I felt like I could be myself. I knew that I could always find someone who had similar interests as me. Whenever I was faced with any kind of challenge at Purdue, I knew that there was someone at MEP, including the staff members who could help me overcome that obstacle.

What are you most proud of in your time at Purdue and MEP? Any favorite memories to share?

My favorite memories of MEP are during career fair season, especially when IR (Industrial Roundtable is about to happen. Every year, the upperclassmen take the time to educate the first-year students on the dos and don'ts of attending career fairs. They talk to them about attire, resumes, an elevator pitch, what types of questions to ask, and anything else they would need to know to be successful at the fairs. When I was a first-year student, I appreciated how much the students cared about my professional development and encouraged me to get an internship. Once I became an upperclassman, I wanted to pass on my wisdom and share any helpful tips like the students that came before me.

What are your post-graduation plans?

After I graduate, I will be working with WSP as an Electrical Engineer in New York, NY. I will also be working to earn my PE license.

How do you foresee yourself being involved with Purdue/MEP post-graduation?

After I graduate, I hope to be able to give back to MEP through donations and hopefully I can convince the company I work for to support MEP as well if they are not already.