Student Spotlight:
Maya Olson

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 civil engineering major Maya Olson for her thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.

What made you decide to attend WSU?

I chose WSU because of the variety of courses that it offered, the distance from my house, and the in-state tuition cost. As an incoming freshman, I was an undecided major. I took a variety of intro classes, from communications to environmental science. I eventually chose engineering because I connected the most with my ENGR-120 class. I also became involved with an awesome engineering club, Cougs in Space, which helped direct me towards engineering.

What has been your favorite class or program that you have been involved with at WSU?’

My favorite class was geotechnical engineering (CE-317). You get to learn a lot of silly words, like ‘saturated silt.’

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

Because of the departmental scholarships, and significant help from the Honors College, I was able to afford to study abroad twice! In the Winter of 2024 I went to Antarctica on a faculty-led trip, and then in Spring of 2025 I studied in Wales.

What clubs are you involved in on campus?

Over my years at WSU, I have been involved with Cougs in Space, musical ensembles, a musician’s sorority, rec center classes… I’ve done everything. By doing these clubs I made connections that helped me get an internship over the summer.

Have you participated in any research projects related to your field of study?

I have! I worked with Danny Auerbach working on environmental technology. We were training AI to count how many fish were in various photos, which will eventually help fishermen know how many salmon are in various parts of Alaska and the amount of fishing that will in turn be allowed. While environmental science isn’t my major, there was a lot of crossover, and this experience was a major boost to my resume! I would definitely recommend seeking out research, even if it’s only for a couple hours a week (like mine).

Have you participated in any internships related to your field of study?

In the summer of 2025, I worked at GeoEngineers in Redmond, WA. It was so awesome! I got to go to jobsites and work outside for most of the time, gaining valuable insights to the real world and getting lots of sunshine. I also got to work in the lab a good amount, and had a really cool triple monitor standing desk setup at the office.

Why would you recommend attending Washington State University?

Washington State University has been an amazing college. It is big enough to have the resources for anything a student might want; from maker spaces, to study rooms, to tutoring (I have used a LOT of tutoring as an engineering major). As a major undecided student, it was also very helpful that WSU offers direct admission into engineering majors, since I would have otherwise been behind. I love the versatility of this university!

What have you learned during your time at WSU, that will help you most in your future?

I have learned how to study. In high school, I was a 4.0 student. Then, when I was a freshman at WSU, I failed two classes. Since this, I have realized that I had habits geared more towards memorizing practice problems, instead of actually understanding the content. As I have progressed with civil engineering, I have become increasingly effective at studying and knowing which questions to ask to close the gaps in my understanding.

What advice do you have for fellow or prospective students?

Stay on campus for as long as you can; and bring a lunch so that you don’t inturrupt your workflow. Engineering is a tough major, but if you can stay focused and dedicated, you can do it!

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

As a civil engineer, I would like to help efforts with sustainability and environmental practices. Additionally, since working with GeoEngineers as an intern, I have aquired a special interest in geotechnical engineering.