LeADERS

Throughout my time in the LeADERS program, I have been able to connect my academic, professional, and personal experiences in a way that has helped shape my development as a future civil engineer. Instead of viewing each experience separately, I have learned how they all work together to build my overall skill set and professional identity. One of the most important discoveries I made is the value of combining technical knowledge with real-world experience. Through my applied learning experiences, organizational involvement, and coursework, I developed a better understanding of how important teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are in engineering.

I also realized the importance of being adaptable and continuously learning in order to succeed in a professional environment. A key theme that connects all of my experiences is growth through discipline and hands-on learning. Whether it was through my internships, my involvement in organizations like NAACP, WEPA, and King In You, or my participation in PLTW, each experience challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and improve my skills. These experiences reinforced the importance of leadership, responsibility, and staying committed to long-term goals.

LeADERS helped me reflect on how these experiences come together in preparing me for my career. It allowed me to recognize my strengths, such as my work ethic, adaptability, and willingness to learn, while also showing me areas where I can continue to grow, such as gaining more technical experience and continuing to develop my leadership skills. One key skill I developed across these experiences is problem-solving. In civil engineering, problem-solving is essential for designing structures, addressing challenges in the field, and ensuring safety and efficiency.

I learned how to approach problems from different perspectives and find practical solutions, which will be important in my future career.

Overall, the LeADERS program has helped me better understand myself as a developing professional and has prepared me for the transition from being a student to entering the engineering field. It has strengthened my ability to apply my experiences, communicate my growth, and continue building the skills needed to succeed as a civil engineer.