Student Spotlight:
Lance Lael

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 Lance Lael for his thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.

What made you decide to attend WSU?

I first toured WSU in my senior year of high school and I immediately fell in love with the campus, atmosphere, and community that it offered. It felt like a place where I could get a fresh start and gain new experiences.

I chose to major in civil engineering because I knew it was a great way for me to make a difference in the world. Civil engineering gracefully blends technical execution with impactful design to make society a better place for all. From transportation infrastructure to water resource systems to structural design, Civil engineering helps the world go around.

What clubs are you involved in on campus?

I have been thoroughly involved in the Concrete Canoe club at WSU.

The purpose of this club is to engineer a canoe made out of concrete to bring to the ASCE regional competition. At competition our canoe is judged on concrete mix design, canoe hull design, sustainability, and of course the canoe races. This year I am Co-President of the club along with my dear friend and colleague, Shiven Trivedi. Through this leadership role I have greatly developed many technical, professional, and personal skills that I will carry on into my professional career. As Co-President I am tasked with managing the project throughout the school year to create a quality engineered canoe that complies with competition rules. Through this role I have significantly improved my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to help lead this team to competition, and for the personal and professional development that comes with the role.

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

The one thing I learned at WSU that will help me the most in my future is to just get out there. At WSU I’ve learned that it’s incredibly important to try new things and meet new people at every chance you get. Trying new things, whether it’s a club meeting, a social event, etc. is the best way to learn more about yourself and to find what you enjoy doing. Along with this, meeting new people can completely open your world up in ways you would have never imagined. It may be hard at first, but getting out of your comfort zone is one of the best things you can do for yourself (especially in college).

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

After I graduate I would like to have a career in the environmental engineering field through designing sustainable waste water treatment facilities.