A canoe community

Concrete Canoe is by far the best organization I have been a part of in terms of my professional and academic networks. I entered UIUC in the undeclared engineering program, with a strong leaning towards civil engineering. Concrete canoe opened my eyes to the ‘real-world’ application of STEM subjects that drew me towards engineering and my involvement with this club solidified my decision to pursue civil engineering. I had the opportunity to present at EOH my sophomore year and assisted with some material procurement tasks and later became the outreach captain my junior year.

I am very introverted so presenting canoe at Grainger Grove, Introduce a Girl to Engineering and EDC was difficult and first but I came to love it and that experiment refined my soft skills immensely and ultimately made me a more well-rounded engineer. This experience helped me realize that I didn’t want to pursue a strictly technical role for my entire career, so I chose construction management as a primary area of study within civil engineering.

I was accepted to the Global Leaders of Construction Management Masters program class of 2022, following in the footsteps of the former concrete canoe leadership, so I am excited to continue my education at Grainger while serving as Graduate student advisor for concrete canoe. Project managing this year’s team is a great honor and I am so happy to have gotten involved with this organization.

My advice for incoming students is: 1. Don't live for the weekend, find happiness in every day 2. Keep joining RSOs until you find one you like then stick with it 3. Try new things