Name: Casey Cohen
Class: Junior
Hometown: Melbourne, Florida
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Why did you apply to be a student ambassador?
I applied to be a student ambassador because, when I first came to Miami, I was unsure if engineering was right for me. Going on a tour of the engineering school and speaking to students in my major is what solidified my decision to become an engineering student and I can’t see myself in any other major. I wanted the opportunity to help other students make the great decision that I made, myself.
What advice would you offer to new engineering students?
The most important advice I would offer to new engineering students would be to explore your passions. While engineering is a rigorous major that requires hard work, the University of Miami has so much to offer that it would be a shame to only focus your attention to engineering. Exploring your interest outside of engineering and getting involved in different clubs and organizations is a great way to take a study break, express yourself and meet new interesting people. It’s important to have time management skills to balance your course load and outside activities, but doing both is absolutely worth it.
What do you feel is unique about being a student at UM College of Engineering?
One of the most unique aspects of being a UM College of Engineering (CoE) student is the personal connections that you get to make with your professors. Unlike larger universities, the University of Miami’s engineering program has small class sizes that allow you to directly communicate with your professor and form close relationships with your peers. This can lead to new opportunities and also helps make you feel more comfortable going to office hours or asking for help in a course if that’s something that you struggle with.
Describe what you are doing in this position.
In this position, I will be sharing my own experiences in the CoE with prospective students. In addition to that, I will give tours of the engineering building as well as answer any questions, whether engineering related or otherwise, to the best of my knowledge. Mostly, I hope to serve as an good example of the University of Miami CoE.
What did you learn at CoE that has helped you in your position?
Collaboration is the best skill that the CoE has taught me that has aided with this position. As an Engineering Student Ambassador, we work with a team of other students from different backgrounds, with different interests and majors. I may not know the answer to every question I get, but there is most likely an ambassador in the group that can help more than I can. Knowing my peers, their strengths, and what they’re involved in helps me direct prospective students to the ambassador that can help them most.
Which College student organization stands out to you and why?
As the Philanthropy Director of my sorority, Greek Life immediately stands out to me. Through my organization and all other sororities and fraternities on campus, we are able to raise money for various important causes. My organization works to raise money for Make a Wish South Florida, and we get to see firsthand the impact that our fundraising makes. We have been able to throw wish reveals for various Make a Wish Kids, as well as see wishes actually be granted. Being a part of such a philanthropic community is one of the best experiences I’ve had in college.
What do you feel you are getting out of this position?
In this position, I feel that I am gaining a deeper appreciation for my own major. Even though I am now a junior in aerospace engineering, I sometimes still have doubts that this major is the perfect one for me. However, when I get to work as an Ambassador and tell other people about my experiences in the CoE, I am reassured that I can’t see myself in any other major. Being able to share why I love my major with others and being able to talk about it for an entire event proves to myself that I love my decision and I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Why has this been a good experience for you?
This has been a great experience for me because I’ve been able to meet so many amazing people that I may have never met because we are different years in college or in different disciplines of engineering. Meeting new people has opened my eyes to new clubs and opportunities and also left me with people I can turn to when I need advice or help studying. Working with such an amazing group of individuals pushes me to work even harder than I already do and motivates me to try new things here at the ‘U.’
What did you do during your summer 2019 break?
I spent over half of this summer traveling with my family, gaining some more memories before I spend next summer working a full-time internship. Starting in the beginning of July, I moved back down to Miami to work for the University of Miami and the NCAA as an academic tutor for athletes in the fields of math and science. I am as currently working towards getting my security clearance to intern for Northrop Grumman for the next summer.
