Name: Rachel Perini

 

Hometown: Beaver, PA

 

High School: Beaver

 

Activities Outside of WEPO: Engineering Ambassadors, Newman Undergrad Research

 

Internship/Co-Op Experience: Co-op with Dow Chemical Company

 

Why did you choose to come to Penn State? I am the rebel in a family of many Pitt graduates. Penn State had everything I was looking for: a big, diverse student body, a great engineering program, a strong alumni network, sports teams worth bragging about, and not-to-close but not-too-far-away from home. Plus, I never knew a person who went to Penn State and didn't LOVE it!

 

What has been your best memory as an engineering student? After finals this year a few friends and I went to the Creamery and it was such a cool feeling to realize "Wow, we have come sooo far since freshman year started." Sometimes we get so caught up in the stresses of homeworks and exams and applications that we forget about the big picture. It was rewarding to think about the amazing people, skills, opportunities, hurdles and victories that have come my way through engineering and how much I've learned (not just about technical things but about life too).

 

What has been your best memory as a Penn State student? Camping out at Nittanyville before the Eastern Michigan game last fall. I thought it would be kind of boring sitting around the gate for two days before the game, but it was so much fun! From drum lines to banner painting to fight songs to pizza with the coach to tent shenanigans.... You gotta do Nittanyvillle!!

 

What advice would you give a first-year engineer? Yes, your main priority in college is your education, but don't burn yourself out by fretting over every assignment and letting your grades define you. You know that these next four (or five) year are going to be hard, but you have an incredible support network here for you so don't forget to take a step back, try new things, and enjoy yourself! You are more than just your GPA.

 

Give me one fun fact about yourself. I really really really want a puppy. I am getting myself one as a "Congratulations to me" gift when I graduate!

 

 

Rachel is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering.