Name: Steven Wilder
Hometown: San Jose, California
Program: Environmental Engineering
"I crave to be a part of man-made solutions to the biggest man-made problems."
I’m originally from San Jose, California, which is probably why I play sand volleyball and rock climb. I’ve been involved with the Men’s Club Volleyball team, participating in many local tournaments, and I climb at the Rec Center and the Spot regularly. I really enjoy learning about energy, the environment, water, and developing communities. That’s why I chose to study Environmental Engineering with a focus on renewable energy and a minor in Spanish. I’m in the class of 2019 and will be graduating this May.
How did you choose to study Environmental Engineering at CU? What sets apart CU’s Environmental Engineering Program?
My story goes like this: I was originally planning on studying environmental studies, anthropology and/or Spanish, and always assumed engineering was a dry topic. However, when visiting CU Boulder, I decided to shadow a freshman Engineering Projects class. I loved seeing the collaboration between students and the application of science and technology. This made me excited about engineering, so I changed my application accordingly. When I took that class freshman year, my group built an educational exhibit to teach about the concept of terminal velocity.
CU’s approach to engineering is very hands on. From freshman engineering projects, to the general chemistry and water chemistry labs, to thought provoking clicker questions and workshops (shout out to Jeffrey Knutsen’s Fluid Mechanics Class), engaging class discussions (shout out to Michael Walker’s Sustainable Energy Class), and senior design, be prepared to be engaged and get your hands dirty.
I’m someone who’s also very passionate about teaching. In my free time, I am designing a week of experiments involving Environmental Engineering for a summer camp. I am also taking a class to teach rural high school and middle school students about air pollution and mentor them as they complete a research project with air quality monitors created by CU faculty and students.
What enrichment activities (including internships, research, study abroad, etc) have you been involved in at CU? How have these affected your experience here?
I love that CU offers a wide range of classes for my eclectic interests. As electives I have taken a Computer Aided Design and Geographic Information System (CAD/GIS) class as well as a Wind Energy Systems class. CU also makes it very easy to study abroad. I studied in Costa Rica over the summer, where I finished my Spanish minor. I also camped on the beach on an island learning about leatherback sea turtles, surrounded by sloths, howler monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, and untouched old-growth forest. This trip strengthened my resolve to learn more about the complex intersections of environmental, social and economic issues.
What is a highlight of your academic career at CU? This could be a class, lab, project or research.
I am currently involved with a Discovery Learning Apprenticeship, an undergraduate research program, where I am part of a group of students aiming to bring power to developing regions through solar microgrids. It has been really rewarding to be part of a team that has established contacts in Peru and Zambia to provide reliable power and increase the standard of living for residents and has so far received $25,000 in funding and has advanced to the second round in an entrepreneurship competition.
What do you plan to do after graduating from CU? How has your educational experience helped you prepare for this?
I plan on getting a job in either renewable energy or water treatment. CU’s program has prepared me well for employment with its hands-on projects and relevant classes, even learning about 401(k) investing in my engineering economics class (thank you Michael Readey).