![Kristen Kesse in class.](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/legacy/enews/2007/06/e5954/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1534517242376.jpg)
She s a Material Girl: Materials Engineering, That Is
Its a great organization, she says. When I was young, I only knew about engineering through my dad, who was an engineer, but I didnt know about the options that are open to women in engineering. Kristens father, Harry, received his associates degree in electrical engineering from UC. (Her brother, Keith, is also a UC alum, with a degree in communication.)
My mom, Sue, didnt go to college, so she knows what its like for a woman to struggle without a college degree, Kristen says, She was very supportive of my studying engineering.
Through SWE she got to know the few other women in UCs College of Engineering.
I found girlfriends to hang out with and study with, says Kristen, a graduate of Mother of Mercy High School. Kristen is receiving a bachelors degree in materials engineering at the All-University Commencement on June 9.
Young girls test their toaster skills with SWE.
One of SWEs cool activities is the annual Take Apart a Toaster day held each December to encourage young girls interest in engineering. Even after her graduation, Kristen plans to continue her relationship with SWE, acting as a counselor and liaison to engage college women in the work world.
She proudly points out her alma maters commitment to teach students about engineering and science fields.
Mother of Mercy High School.
They are currently in the process of adding a new technology center to their existing building, Kristen explains. I've worked to build a connection between UC and Mercy in order to help them create a brand new engineering program. I also organized a group of engineering alumnae to attend their career day this year.
Besides her dedication to engaging girls in engineering, Kristen also co-founded the College of Engineerings new student-run newsletter, Momentum.
Shes a gem, says Roy Eckart, professor of engineering and former interim dean of the College of Engineering.
Kristen is stepping right into a job with Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing of North America, in Erlanger, after co-oping with them for all six of her co-op terms. She loved her UC co-op experience.
It was the primary reason I chose UC, she says. I looked at other engineering schools, like OSU and Purdue, but none of them had the structured co-op program, where its part of your schedule. Kristen liked graduating with 1½ years experience under her belt.
That way I could say, Heres what I bring to your organization, she says. Its also a great way to network.
Kristen applauds Dean Carlo Montemagnos focus on getting alumni engaged with current students.
Hes an easy person to talk to, she says. You can tell hes really listening.
She points out his formation of the engineering education department and the new Engineering Alumni Learning Center as good steps in recruiting and retaining engineering students.
Its hard to feel like youre an engineer in your first couple of years, says Kristen. The center will enable development of a cohesive unit of people to study with, socialize with, learn with.
UC hosted the SWE Region G conference in 2006, drawing a record number of 233 women engineering professionals and students Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
She recommends that students get involved in student organizations right away, and stresses the importance of networking in school and in life.
Anything you can through the groups and activities you gravitate toward, you learn who you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are, she notes. Its very important.
Kristen appreciates the many opportunities that UC provided her for networking, especially in leadership roles.
You can be a leader in student organizations, in the classroom and in your co-op, by taking control of your very own project, she says.
Kristen Kesse in front of Baldwin Hall, in the Herman Schneider Quad.
Kristen admits that she wasnt a very good test taker and was worried about her college entrance exams. She encourages students who want to be engineers to hang in there.
Dont let that get you down if you want to get into engineering, dont give up, she says. Apply to UC!
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