Collegiate decisions are hard to make for every potential freshman applicant, but figuring out where to apply is could be the most daunting. This was definitely true of materials engineering senior, Whitney Epperson, class of 2011, who wasn’t 100 percent confident of where she wanted to apply, but once she decided to “see blue” she hasn’t looked back since. In fact, she can relate to incoming freshman and high school applicants who are still weighing their education options. Epperson says, “I would tell them that I was once undecided about coming to UK, but looking back is was the best decision I ever made.”
Whether it is attending meetings for the materials engineering student organization, going to football and basketball games, studying for tests, or dancing all day and all night to raise money for pediatric oncology, the University of Kentucky has something to offer everyone.
In the materials engineering department students are free to join ASM, American Society of Metals International student organization. Through this organization student members gain professional competence by linking with other members worldwide to obtain information and contacts, as well as provide students the opportunity to interact with professional engineers from industry, academia and government. The Materials Engineering department also sponsors Alpha Sigma Mu, a national materials engineering honor society to recognize and promote high scholarship, original investigation and professional service by its undergraduate students.
It is through networking experiences like these as well career fairs and internships that Epperson has learned the importance that UK places on making connections. According to Epperson, “These experiences are essential as an undergraduate engineering student and I am thankful that UK makes these connections possible.” It was through her networking at the college of engineering that Epperson was able to participate in not one, but two, amazing internships with Logan Aluminum and General Electric.
Epperson says, “As a rising senior in the Materials Engineering Program, I feel that I have been prepared with a strong foundation of knowledge to help me succeed as I pursue a career in a related field.” Paired with a strong foundational knowledge is the ever willing and helpful faculty and staff. Epperson says, “The professors in the Materials Engineering program have helped me succeed. The majority of the professors I have had were always willing to meet with you outside of class time to further explain a topic. Their willingness to help has been a crucial part in my success in the Materials Engineering program at UK.”
In the end, Epperson says, “UK is an awesome school with great professors and outstanding school spirit. No other school in the state can compare.”