In the How I chose my major series, we showcase the academic paths CSU students have taken, and students tell their stories in their own words. Read on to meet Tamsin, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and learn how she decided it was the perfect path for her college career and far beyond.
It all started with LEGOs. I’ve always loved hands-on activities: taking things apart, building something else, and learning from physical models. I’ve seen myself in a job that’s hands-on and lets me work with this skillset, but gives me the opportunity to learn new things. I like math and science, but I also LOVE working with people, and I always stereotyped STEM jobs as isolating and boring.
My aunt — also an extrovert — is a civil engineer. When I was in high school deciding what I wanted to do, she let me shadow her for a day and learn about her job. We visited job sites, met with clients and coworkers, and I saw her solve real-life problems. I realized engineering is so much more than sitting behind a desk and doing math all day. It’s a job that gives you the tools to learn what people need and help them achieve it.
Coming into CSU, deciding which engineering major to do was another hard decision. I liked that the Mechanical Engineering major had physical design applications, allowing for hands-on experience and the ability to create and see products that make an impact. I’m also minoring in Biomedical Engineering. This gives me another perspective on problem solving and engineering applications. Since CSU’s biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary degree, I also work with other engineers I wouldn’t see in my mechanical engineering classes. In addition to my engineering programs, I am pursuing a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which involves taking management classes to learn how businesses start and problems are identified.
I chose CSU because of the wide range of opportunities it provided me, along with the way it allowed me to customize my education with my major, my minor, and certificate options. I have now experienced both inside and outside the college of engineering and have a well-rounded academic resume to be proud of.
On the side, I work as a peer mentor and learning assistant for first-year students. I experienced such a strong community entering college, and this is a way for me to pay it forward. I’ve held events in the engineering dorms, and led a team of learning assistants to help in first-year classes. I helped start the new first-year program, giving freshmen the opportunity to learn all the paths CSU engineering has to offer. Working with this class let me get to know so many amazing students and professors, and strengthened the support I feel at CSU every day.
As I write this, I’m a graduating senior, and I’m so excited to be where I am! My academic experience at CSU gave me experiential learning opportunities that allowed me to find a passion for manufacturing and process development. With help from my Manufacturing Engineering professor, I was able to work two summers as an intern with the Operations Engineering team at Woodward. Now, I have a full-time job with Woodward’s operations leadership rotational program. I’ll gain experience with inventory management, leading teams, and streamlining the business. With my engineering background, I’ll understand the technical aspects and challenges with operations. I’ll go into management and working with multidisciplinary teams, continuing to build on this foundation and learn from the people around me. And, with any luck, I’ll still find time to play with LEGOs.
About the author
Tamsin is a Mechanical Engineering senior with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. When not in the classroom, she’s normally hanging out in Old Town, paddle boarding at Horsetooth Reservoir, or doing arts and crafts! She was born and raised in Colorado, and as a result, loves the mountains and spending time outdoors. She worked in the CSU engineering dorms as a peer mentor, and now works in the new engineering common first- year program, both of which have allowed her to work with first-year students and help them succeed.
