Student Spotlight:
Emily Pierce

What makes Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture stand out from the crowd for those looking to get a degree?

We ask mechanical engineering major Emily Pierce for her thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.

What made you decide to attend WSU?

Having so many opportunities to participate in campus clubs and undergraduate research helped in my decision to attend WSU.

Please share how scholarships or financial aid has impacted you as a student.

I didn’t grow up with financial stability, so it means the world to me that contributions through scholarships and financial aid still make it possible for me to get a higher education. Having less financial issues to worry about takes some stress off of my already challenging degree path and has an overly positive impact on my life.

What clubs are you involved in on campus?

I am currently a member of Crimson Robotics. The club has helped me further develop my collaboration, problem solving, and creative skills while working on my team’s bot. Helping our where I can and trying things that were outside my comfort zone has made me much more confident in the skills I have and has been great to develop new ones.

Why would you recommend attending Washington State University?

WSU is the best place to be if you’re looking for opportunities to get involved, whether it be clubs or other organizations, research, socially, or standard academics. WSU has it all.

What advice do you have for fellow or prospective students?

It is so important to get outside of your comfort zone while in college. For many students it is the first time that they’re doing something too, so don’t be afraid to start now and reach out to peers or professors for support if you need it! Getting involved and learning outside the classroom helps you develop so many life skills like time management and collaboration, while giving you experiences you would have never had without it. It is bound to set you up for success in academics and beyond.

What do you want to do with your degree after you graduate?

After graduation I hope to specialize in robotics. The larger goal is to someday be able to contribute in the area of space exploration with projects like NASA’s Mars Rovers, but that’s still a far way off.