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A desire to help others, an unplanned job opportunity and the persistence of a faculty member led to an unexpected career path for New Mexico State University graduate student Sarah Williamson.
"When I first came to NMSU I was not enrolled as an engineering student; I was enrolled as a government major because I felt that politics was the only avenue for a job where I could get paid to do outreach projects," said Williamson, who graduated in December 2010 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in environmental engineering. "I had hopes of working internationally with developing countries on their human and health rights. I was able to get a job working on campus, but not in the government department. The only job I could find was working as a research assistant in civil engineering for Dr. Ricardo Jacquez."
Williamson reluctantly took the job, and Jacquez, now dean of the College of Engineering, repeatedly encouraged Williamson to consider changing her major.
"I finally gave in and enrolled as a civil engineering student and in my very first semester I was asked to participate in a field research project with a professor," Williamson said. "I was able to gain firsthand knowledge of environmental engineering work, in the field, doing research for the Environmental Protection Agency. And I was hooked."
That first experience then led to opportunities to do outreach projects, Williamson's original goal.
"Dr. Jacquez
Williamson, from Farmington, has been employed by the Civil Engineering Department since her freshman year teaching labs and has worked on several research projects under the tutelage of civil engineering faculty members.
Williamson started work on her master's degree in the spring 2011 semester with Associate Professor Paola Bandini and Professor Adrian Hanson, civil engineering department head.
"I am hoping to pursue the aspects of sustainability in geo-environmental engineering in my research," Williamson said. "Hopefully I will be able to continue this work with a doctoral program, and go on to teach at the university level. It's an excellent avenue to continue my own education, work as a consulting engineer and continue doing research with students."
During her time at NMSU, Williamson has also been active in student organizations. She has held leadership positions in the NMSU student chapter of the Society of Women Engineers, and has been a member of the Concrete Canoe team for several years. Last spring Williamson was one of the captains of the team, along with Adrian Delgadillo, and they helped organize the American Society of Civil Engineers' Rocky Mountain Regional Conference.
"We competed in the conference and won the concrete canoe competition," Williamson said. They went on to the National Concrete Canoe Competition at California Polytechnic State University in June where they placed 11th. They enjoyed the experience and are hoping to make it to nationals again this year.
They also were able to raise about $45,000 to cover the costs of hosting the 13 universities that attended the regional conference at NMSU
"Eye on Research" is provided by New Mexico State University. This week's feature was written by Linda Fresques and Darrell J. Pehr of University Communications.
