Student Spotlight:
Brandon Swinger

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 Brandon Swinger for his thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.

What does it mean to receive the Distinguished Dean’s Scholarship?

Receiving the Distinguished Dean’s Scholarship has significantly reduced my financial burden here at WSU. I do not feel the pressure to work as many hours as I would have needed to afford rent, food, and school. This relieved pressure has allowed me to focus on school and excel in my classes, being the quality of student that I strive to be.

What made you decide to attend WSU?

I am a third-generation Coug, so WSU has always been in the cards for me. I have always excelled in math and science, so I decided to try engineering and never looked back. This major is very rewarding, and it is very cool to see the progress I’ve made since I started college.

What has been your favorite class or program at WSU?

I have loved my Mechanics of Materials class. All of the content is very applicable and useful to know. We have covered various topics, and all of them are easy to conceptualize because we interact with these mechanics in our everyday lives.

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

I have learned to communicate effectively with my peers. My dynamics class incorporates presentations into the coursework, giving me opportunities to strengthen my communication and presentation skills. These experiences are helping me prepare for my future career in civil engineering, where effectively presenting ideas and technical information is essential.

What advice do you have for fellow or prospective students? 

Build a community around you. Having people to hold you up and make you better is imperative to success. Study groups are a great way to study for exams in engineering. Using tutoring centers is also very important; having tutors to help fills gaps left during lectures.

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

I want to work at a firm and earn my Professional Engineer license post-graduation. Eventually, I want to start my own business specializing in civil design. I aim to contribute back to my community with the skills and knowledge I gained from engineering.