Name: Alyssa Mangano

 

Hometown: Newtown, PA

 

High School: Council Rock North

 

Activities Outside of WEPO: Springfield (THON Special Interest Organization), going to the gym

 

Internship/Co-Op Experience: This summer (2014) I am interning with Toll Architecture, a subsidiary of Toll Brothers Luxury Home Builders. I am working with the designers and have gotten a taste of some structural work, as the designers and structural engineers work closely together.

 

Why did you choose to come to Penn State? My senior year I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. The week before decision day I visited five colleges!! I'm not kidding. The last school I visited was Penn State, and when I came here I just got the feeling that it was the one. I know that's cliché and sounds like something that would happen in the movies, but it really happened. I loved the campus and community feel. Penn State's top ranking in job recruitment also sold me. I knew I'd be in good hands at Penn State. When I got to Penn State, I was blown away by what it had to offer, both socially and academically. I really stepped out of my comfort zone as I tried new activities and participated in professional networking. I couldn't imagine being at any other school, I love Penn State!

 

What has been your best memory as an engineering student? My best memory as an engineering student would be every moment I spotted a familiar face from WEPO '13. We immediately had something to talk about and would help each other out in our first year engineering classes.

 

What has been your best memory as a Penn State student? My best memory as a Penn State student was attending my first THON. All year I spent my efforts raising money For The Kids with my special interest group, Springfield. I met some amazing people over canning weekends and family visits. But it was amazing to see all of the Penn Staters who participate in THON come together in the Bryce Jordan Center. Although we have our friendly competitions to get the best street corner on canning weekends, we all THON for the same cause. It's also amazing that we get to interact with the Four Diamonds Families that benefit from our efforts. It makes my day to see that I can make a child forget about his fight against pediatric cancer for one second by dancing silly and squirting him with a water gun.

 

What advice would you give a first-year engineer? Take advantage of your resources. WEPO mentors are amazing people to talk to; they have been through the same things you have, so don't be afraid to reach out to them. Also, go to office hours regularly; you will understand the material better, make friends with other engineers, and get to know your professor better. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

 

Give me one fun fact about yourself. I love froyo!! So anytime you want to chat over some Kiwi Froyo, let me know!

 

 

Alyssa is a sophomore in Architectural Engineering.