The College of Engineering Student Stories

Meet Diego

I chose to come to UT Arlington because it gave me immense opportunity to pursue a career I'm passionate about while also being close to home. UTA has one of the best Civil Engineering Programs in the country, allowing me to not only pursue a great career but get amazing opportunities.

When I first encountered engineering in high school, the difficulty was not what caught my attention, but the professionalism that is needed. It seemed very cool to have amazing leadership and communications while solving a problem. Solving problems for the benefit of others seems like something to feel proud about, especially when you show that you care for the needs of others.

I chose to pursue civil engineering because I have always been intrigued by how buildings, highways, and transportation systems are made. I got to connect with several people who have experience in construction, including a teacher who was a civil engineer, and they inspired me. Civil engineering is one of the majors that makes a difference in people's lives, whether that is going into a building, driving on a road, or visiting an attraction.

I hope to use my degree to get a job with municipal firms or private firms. I believe that the knowledge I gain from my degree can strengthen the unique opportunities I want to give myself, the type of clients I connect with, and the type of projects I look to specialize in. This degree can also allow me other opportunities with UTA in the future, like pursuing an advanced degree or having connections with students.

I haven't officially joined a student organization yet, but a club that I’m interested in is ASCE, the American Society of Civil Engineers. Being in this organization would allow me to be involved in engineering projects early on while I gain some great experience.