Career Advice Column

Professionals Share Their Insight With Students Interested In Pursuing Similar Career

Paths — Kelsie Hildebrand, Editor-in-Chief

In this issue of students seeking career advice from professionals, civil engineering is featured by a MHS senior and a college graduate who pursued his passion. Senior Symantha Cunningham and Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Anthony J. Waldenmaier will share about the path to a career in civil engineering. Senior Symantha Cunningham has a dream to become a forensic civil engineer, which is about six year degree through college education and hard work. “Last year during the college fair, South Dakota mines asked about my interests, and at the time I was interested in forensic science,” Cunningham said. “I did not think that was the right path for me, so they told me to look into forensic engineering.” Cunningham is currently looking into Oklahoma state, Montana Tech and South Dakota Mines for her education after high school graduation. Although she has not decided yet, she will benefit tremendously at each school. “I strategically picked my colleges where they are all good in their field and what they are known for,” Cunningham said. “ I would not be completely on my own because my uncle lives near Oklahoma, I am halfway in between home and my grandma while in Montana and South Dakota is not too far from home.” Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Anthony J. Waldenmaier, graduated from North Dakota State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering and applied to graduate school to get a master’s degree. “After a year or two, I realized how much I liked the teaching side of engineering (from being a teaching assistant), and I decided to go for a Ph.D. instead of a master’s degree,” Waldenmaier said. “Most professor’s pursue a teaching path as a means to conduct research and become very specialized in a specific field or topic because they enjoy the teaching element that goes along with the topic that they are most passionate about.” Civil Engineers have a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree and some pursue a master’s degree within a more specific field of Civil Engineering (about 2 years), which is Cunningham’s path to forensic civil engineering. “I can tell you that nothing about any engineering degree is easy, regardless of the kind of engineer one might want to be, however, the hardest parts are getting through the classes/topics that you do not like,” Waldenmaier said. “I would say most engineering students go through a similar struggle - trying to get through required courses where they do not like the subject such as Math (Calculus 1-4) and Physics.” One of the most important things in engineering is being proficient in math, so learning faster will serve the greater good in the long run. “If a student can have some calculus background before starting in engineering, it is a huge advantage,” Waldenmaier said. “We have had several students who needed to work their way into Calculus 1 after a semester or two, and they are doing very well.” Another thing to remember about succeeding in civil engineering is building yourself up through experience. Internships are a great way to gain the knowledge one may need after graduation to be successful. “We encourage our students to get internships each summer while pursuing an undergraduate degree, which gives the students the experience that employers like to see,” Waldenmaier said. “It also gives the student an idea of what it will be like to be an engineer in the future.” Although it is very important to study hard and stay motivated, it is important to enjoy yourself here and there because college flies by. “Do not forget to stop and smell the roses because you have to remember that college goes by quickly and it is a time in life when you are still young,” Waldenmaier said. “Always remember to take some time for yourself, for your personal growth and to develop into the person you want to be.”