Submission Number: 338
Submission ID: 1161
Submission UUID: ac79c94d-d0e8-4ea9-849f-4b5e3ae3ec44

Created: Thu, 03/30/2023 - 20:57
Completed: Thu, 03/30/2023 - 20:57
Changed: Wed, 05/07/2025 - 11:19

Remote IP address: 136.56.12.167
Submitted by:Anonymous
Language: English

Is draft: No

Locked: Yes
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Taylor
Peterson
He/Him
Cary
North Carolina
United States
27519
Environmental Engineering
English (5), French (1)

One of the primary principles of the Global Engineering RAP is collaborating with people of diverse backgrounds to solve global problems. I had the opportunity to experience a similar program firsthand via the National Youth Leadership Forum. In this capstone, I collaborated with students and professors from around the world. To put it in perspective, out of the 200 students invited, only one other was from North Carolina... I was baffled at how many people didn't know about one of my favorite fast food chains Cookout.
When we were randomly assigned to study groups, I was surprised to see how different my group members ideologies, hobbies, and lifestyles were from mine. At first, overcoming our differences was very challenging, and I even struggled to pronounce some of my groupmates' names. However, I learned how to find common ground by viewing problems from different perspectives. Viewing things from my groupmate's perspective made embracing our differences easier and more powerful. We quickly discovered how enjoyable and beneficial it can be to work with people of diverse backgrounds (by the way, this is one of the primary reasons I am excited about opportunities like the Global Engineering RAP program).
During the capstone project, we were tasked with solving global problems by addressing two of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. It felt like they had us shooting for the stars, but eventually, we decided to target "life below water" and "clean water and sanitation" because we deduced these two were the most interesting. As we worked together to solve these problems, I realized the magnitude of these challenges. There were so many aspects that had to be considered, and I began to understand why having people with diverse backgrounds and different ways of thinking is crucial. Applying this understanding, my group utilized all our different strengths to come up with the PPP ("Passive Plastic Pickup") which we planned to place in polluted rivers around the world to collect floating trash.
Through this capstone project, I gained confidence in my ability to work with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities, which I plan to carry over to the Global Engineering RAP to help solve global problems and make the earth a better place for future generations.
I firmly believe spending time with people of diverse backgrounds (backgrounds different than my own) and experiences can lead to personal growth and improved solutions. When I start thinking "hey, what kind of person do I want to live by?" I want them to reflect these ideals so they push me to become a better version of myself. In my experience, engaging with people who have different perspectives forces us to consider our original opinions and thoughts. Through this process, we expanded our understanding of the world and developed a more well-rounded sense of self. In a perfect world, my dorm mates would share my passion for the environment. The outdoors has been an enormous influence throughout my life, and having dorm mates who enjoy activities like skiing, hiking, fishing, and camping would be an amazing way for us to develop a bond. I can already imagine us toasting perfectly golden smores after a hard day of studying. However, if I could only choose one trait for my dorm mate to have, it would be reliability. When I picture who I want the person down the hall to be, I envision someone I can turn to in the middle of the night when I need a second opinion, someone I can trust when I need help, someone who will be my friend. Having a dorm mate who I can rely on, bounce ideas off of, and trust to tell me when I am out of my mind will create an environment that's not only fun but one we can thrive in and solve problems together.
My ultimate goal of RAP is to help preserve the beauty of nature for the next generation. While I have been growing my knowledge in environmental preservation by engaging in activities like invasive species mapping with North Carolina State Park biologists and water quality research at the Jordan Lake reservoir, I lack experience on larger-scale projects. When I first learned about the Global Engineering Residential Academic Program my eyes lit up. "Gaining more than just technical skills, making a real global impact, and working with other passionate individuals to form a community where we all learn and support each other," these are all essential to achieving my goals in life. My reasons for wanting to join don't end there. The Global Engineering RAP would not only give me practice tackling problems at a larger scale, but it will also give me invaluable experience with teamwork and communication. Furthermore, learning in a diverse environment, surrounded by people of different backgrounds and experiences, would be a priceless experience for my growth as an engineer and human being. The new ideas and perspectives I would be exposed to would expand my understanding of the world, help me refine my skills, and introduce + familiarize me with new cultures.
When considering what I would contribute to the Global Engineering RAP, I plan to bring my open-mindedness and willingness to view things from different perspectives. I have already learned the importance of this approach through my experiences with the National Youth Leadership Forum. By sharing unique perspectives and recognizing the value of others ideas, I was able to work more efficiently with my groupmates and foster an environment where everyone felt heard and valued which allows them to be their best. I plan to bring these skills to the Global Engineering RAP, where I will contribute to a culture of inclusivity and mutual understanding. I promise if I am selected for the Global Engineering RAP, I'll be a person that anybody can talk to if they need someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to cheer them up, or if they want to have any conversation...I want to be a friend and colleague and leader.
You'll always be able to count on me to be a supportive and approachable team member who is always willing to listen, share ideas, and contribute to a positive and productive environment.
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