My first time on campus was more than a decade before I enrolled as a student. I was seven years old, dressed in the chestnut brown uniform of a Girl Scout Brownie and was an attendee of the Society of Women Engineers’ Girl Scout Night. As I entered the Warnock Engineering Building, I was not struck with a feeling of predestination, instead by a feeling of anxiety, similar to what many freshman experience on their first day of college. However, by the end of the night, I had decided I needed to attend this university. I excitedly spent the drive home telling my parents about the chemical engineer I met who had helped me build a bridge out of marshmallows and spaghetti noodles. This experience on campus did not change my career plans. I did not decide to study engineering until high school, but this experience made college seem accessible.
Everyone knows it is expensive to go to school. Last spring the University of Utah announced a 3.9 percent hike in tuition cost for the 2017-2018 academic year. Everyone knows college courses are challenging. We study for midterms, complete assignments and try to stay on top of the readings. Despite these deterrents, you are here. What prompted you to apply? Who encouraged you to attend? Why do you keep registering each semester? As I have talked to other students about why they are here, almost everyone cites the support of a mentor.
“In high school, I had a Boy Scout leader who gave me information about a scholarship and handed me a letter of recommendation to go with it. I had not even thought about going to college before that.”
“My parents used to take me to college graduations even though we did not know anyone graduating. The night before we would make a candy lei, and after the ceremony I would pick someone to ask about their degree and then give them the lei.”
“Freshman year I was fortunate enough to have a math professor who really cared about her subject and her students. I spent a lot of time in her office hours as I worked to master the material. I still spend time with her, she has become one of my biggest cheerleaders.”
Even in a student population with diverse cultures, ideologies and perspectives, we can all agree that education is important. Campus events, such like the one I attended, are impactful for younger students, as they have the chance to engage with students working, despite the difficulties to gain a degree. While it is easy to picture a parent or teacher as mentor, many of us could also be in this position for younger students. We are not too young to give back to our communities by inspiring others to seek an education.
Life is cyclic — events and experiences repeat. As a sophomore in the mechanical engineering program here at the U, I am also part of the Society of Women Engineers’ leadership team. In the upcoming weeks, the College of Engineering will be again hosting young girls interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and I will have to opportunity to lead the event. Not all of these girls will become engineers, but our goal is two pronged: expose young women to engineering principles and provide them with a positive campus experience. We aim to empower these young girls to pursue a post-secondary education in any discipline.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Society of Women Engineers’ Girl Scout Night, please email [email protected] for additional information.
