#ILookLikeAnEngineer

Why did you choose engineering at CU Boulder? 

I chose Engineering Plus at CU Boulder because I wanted to be in a program that was inclusive of all different students and had hands on engineering courses. I wanted to be in a community of people who were collaborative rather than competitive, who helped each other. 

What does the #ILookLikeAnEngineer hashtag mean to you? 

#ILookLikeAnEngineer shows that there isn't a standard for what an engineer can look like. It has helped me realize that it is important to ignore those who think less of me and my worth in the field of engineering because I am a girl. My gender should not degrade my competency in being an engineer, nor should I have any leniency. I am an engineer and I am proud.

What are your career goals?

I want to help design and build devices for people with limited mobility to help them live their lives with fewer daily struggles. 

Favorite quote?

"Everything will be ok in the end. If it is not ok, then it is not the end.”

What are your hobbies?

I helped to start a human centered design club, Design for America, here at CU. I spend a lot of time on the leadership team trying to expand our club and looking for new local communities that need our help.

What is your favorite engineering experience? 

I was working on a team that was trying to redesign walkers to improve mobility for the older generation in Boulder. We had already gone into an assisted living community to interview them, and then we went into designing our products. When we brought our prototypes back, the users were so eager and excited to try them. Seeing their eyes light up and hearing their feedback made all of the late nights and hard work worth it. Ultimately, the immediate impact that engineering makes is what makes the profession so special. We have an actual impact on the quality of people's lives; we have the chance to improve someone’s life. 

Jennifer Kracha, Class of 2019, Mechanical Engineering