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#ILookLikeAnEngineer

Why did you choose engineering at ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ?

Since I was a kid, I understood just how cool it was that ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ had a real-life buffalo run the field before each football game. I loved the idea of having the option to go up skiing for a day and being able to make it back in time to do homework that night. I loved the challenge engineering would provide me and the opportunities it offered after school.

What does the #iLookLikeAnEngineer hashtag mean to you?

It means I have a support system and can feel comfortable being one of five girls in a class of 100. It's means I should be proud that I'm different, but also take the opportunity to show others that if I did it, you can too. 

What are three things that make you unique?

1. I am left-handed.
2. I am the first one in my family to not go to UCONN as well as get an engineering degree.
3. I have worked the last four years for the BOLD Center putting on events for Girl Scouts to learn about engineering in hopes to help them realize how awesome it can actually be.

What are your career goals?

I hope to one day (by one day, I mean in May…) work at a bio-medical company bettering the quality of life for all people.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

"She believed she could, so she did" –R.S. Grey

What are your hobbies?

Skiing, soccer, vacationing, hanging out with friends, boating, water sports, hiking, shopping on amazon, Netflix.

What do you enjoy most about engineering?

The reward – meaning although it is so challenging, and at times seems like the worst decision of my life, after I graduate I have the knowledge and skills necessary to make a difference. I have endless options as to where to take my career.

What is your favorite engineering experience?

My favorite engineering experience would have to be putting on the events that I do for the Girl Scouts to learn about engineering. I can't describe the feeling I get when I have these girls come up to me after the event, telling me how excited they are to one day be an engineer. Being able to share the amazing knowledge I have gained through engineering is something I will forever be thankful I am able to do.

Do you have any advice for a student just starting their engineering journey?

There are two huge reasons I am graduating with an engineering degree in May. One, I made an amazing group of friends freshmen year that struggled through the multiple F's on midterms with me. Those friends became my lifeline and my biggest support system. The second reason I stuck with engineering is because I was fortunate to find BOLD Center. I not only was offered a job there and able to make money at a place that worked around my rigorous schedule, I was also able to find support there. The BOLD Center staff has stuck with me the entire journey and has been that family that every engineering student needs. I will never be able to thank the BOLD Center enough for all they have done for me.

Caitlyn Hughes, Mechanical Engineering Class of May 2018