Preparing for your future by getting involved on campus

Many students (including myself) come to college with little idea of what they want to do after they graduate; that’s ok! Your classes, co-ops, and personal interests will eventually guide you towards a field that sparks your interest.

A year or two ago, I started thinking about why I chose engineering and what I was hoping to accomplish with my degree. The simple answer is that I wanted to help solve some of the most difficult and important challenges we face today; so, I researched and decided I wanted to get involved with sustainable energy. I already knew I enjoyed the automotive industry through my previous co-ops at Cooper Tire, and I thought the concept of electric cars was interesting and cutting-edge. Because of this, I naturally gravitated towards Tesla.

The first few years of college, even when I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, I was involved with TEDxUCincinnati for a leadership program, and the Learning Commons as a Tutor and SRS Leader. However, last year, I joined organizations that aligned perfectly with my career goals and provided me with not only meaningful work experience, but a great group of friends and connections to support me along the way.

The two main student organizations I got involved with (they’re the best, but I might be a little biased):

• Bearcats In(to) Tech (BIT)
• Bearcat Electric Vehicle

The bottom line: Student organizations are a great opportunity that every student should take advantage of, your involvement on campus can play a huge role in your future career, and joining student organizations is often a fun addition to your college experience.