222 Palisades Creek Drive
Richardson, TX 75080
Phone: 972-952-9393
Fax: 972-952-9435
Email: [email protected]
University of Wisconsin
Environmental Engineering
Vivian Wanjing
What are your career goals?
My career goal is to pursue a master’s degree in CEE or Energy Engineering, where I can continue exploring interdisciplinary research between water, renewable energy, and sustainable resource systems. I want to build a career that combines research and industry to allow me to explore complex questions while also seeing those ideas become real projects and solutions. I hope to eventually bring the research skills I develop in graduate school into industry, where I can work with engineers, communities, and other stakeholders to turn innovative ideas into solutions that can make a meaningful difference in how we produce energy and manage our environmental resources.
Do you have any research areas of interest specific to your discipline?
My primary research interest is in sustainable water and renewable energy systems. I currently work as an undergraduate research assistant in the Hydroecology Lab, where I study plant water use in agrivoltaic systems and how solar panel shading can influence vegetation and water use.
What is one piece of advice you have for fellow engineering students?
Do not be afraid to ask for help and explore opportunities outside of the classroom. Engineering can be challenging, and struggling with a course or concept does not mean you are not capable of becoming an engineer. Finding mentors, getting involved in organizations, participating in research, and connecting with other students can make a huge difference. Finding a supportive community that can be your ANCHOR makes the engineering journey feel much more manageable.
What has been your favorite engineering course and why?
Definitely Renewable Energy Systems! I enjoyed learning how to calculate power and energy production, evaluate renewable resource availability, and assess the technical and economic feasibility of different energy systems. The course also pushed me to think beyond the calculations by considering how renewable energy affects infrastructure, communities, and the environment. This was especially meaningful to me because I am interested in working in renewable energy and sustainability, and my agrivoltaics research has shown me how engineering can bring together energy, agriculture, and environmental systems.
Which clubs, campus organizations, and activities do you participate in?
I am currently the Vice President of Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and have previously served as the Project Coordinator and Engineering Exposition Chair for the Environmental Engineering Student Association at UW-Madison for the past two years. I am also a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and Engineers for a Sustainable World. Outside of engineering organizations, I am an undergraduate research assistant in the Hydroecology Lab. I also serve as the Cultural Awareness Chair for Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., Kappa Gamma Chapter; and am part of the Wisconsin Community Environmental Scholar program and lastly, but not least, I’m a proud Posse Scholar from Brooklyn, NYC!
What are you most looking forward to gaining from being an FE ambassador?
As an FE Ambassador, I hope to gain professional development and a deeper understanding of the licensure process while serving as a resource for fellow engineering students. I want to help make the FE exam feel more approachable and encourage students to see licensure as an important step in their professional growth. As a first-generation college student, I am especially passionate about increasing the number of first-generation and underrepresented engineers who pursue licensure at UW-Madison. By sharing my experiences and supporting my peers, I hope to help build a more inclusive engineering profession and inspire future engineers to reach their full potential.