Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Castro Valley, CA
Why did you choose engineering?
When I first started the recruiting process for softball, I was only a freshman in high school and I had no idea what major I wanted to pursue. I was always drawn to math and problem solving growing up, but I wasn’t exactly sure which path to take. When my sister, who also played on the Cal Poly softball team, started studying biomedical engineering, I realized that engineering was something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life. Engineering requires me to constantly think and problem solve, and I hope to eventually solve real environmental issues with the aid of my education at Cal Poly.
What are your hobbies?
In my free time, I love to ski, hike and surf. When I want to do something more relaxing, I enjoy reading and watching my favorite sports teams – go Warriors and Giants!
What’s your dream job after graduation?
Ideally, I’d like to work as an engineer involved in green technology. I think that engineering’s biggest impact on the world will be more efficient and eco-friendly energy production. I think that engineers are critical in protecting the environment and that creating cleaner, more sustainable materials and cleaning up old mistakes are essential in keeping our Earth clean.
Do you have a scholarship to help with your Cal Poly education?
I am on scholarship to play softball at Cal Poly.
Why did you choose to attend Cal Poly, and what was the path that brought you here?
My whole family actually attended Cal Poly- mom, dad and sister. My dad played tennis here, and my sister played softball, so I always had Cal Poly in my head. At first, I wanted to do something different from the rest of my family, but after visiting other campuses I realized that Cal Poly was unmatched. With the academics, softball program and incredible scenery that Cal Poly provides, there wasn’t much else I could ask for.
Describe your experience as an athlete at Cal Poly.
Being a student athlete at Cal Poly is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. My team is my family and I love to compete with them every time we step on the softball field. I am always very busy, whether it’s weights, practice, class or games, but I have a lot of resources provided to me to help me succeed. Cal Poly Athletics values academics a lot. As a student athlete at Cal Poly, I always know that someone is rooting for me to succeed, both in the classroom and on the softball field.
What is your favorite part of being a student-athlete?
My favorite part about being a student-athlete is being able to compete in the sport I love at the highest level. Not only that, but I get to do it with my best friends.
What are the challenges of being a student-athlete and how are you overcoming them?
The most difficult challenge I face is time management. Being a student-athlete, there isn’t a lot of free time to get homework done or study. I’ve had to learn to utilize my downtime and study efficiently even when I’m exhausted from a long day of practice. Adjusting to the new schedule my freshman year was definitely a struggle, especially with the classes I had to take for engineering. However, after a couple quarters, the crazy schedule started to feel normal. I try my hardest to stay on top of my classes, get good sleep, and stay healthy.
