Lyles School of Civil Engineering undergrad Ben O'Brien's interest in Transportation Engineering stems from his desire to see greater and equal access to public transportation for all — in both urban and rural communities — and he wants to work toward creating infrastructure that is better for the environment.

Purdue Civil Engineering undergrad Mimi Wadley says she's always loved engineering and building things. As a kid, she even used to build roads for her Barbie dolls. Mimi says she also appreciates that civil engineering is such a public-focused discipline that serves so many people. And, if you do your job right, no one will really know what you did.

At an early age, Deja King had her sights set on becoming a civil engineer. When choosing a university to study at, Deja said she wanted it to be somewhere with a great program and a welcoming community. She found all she was looking for at Purdue.

Naia Echevarria always knew she wanted to pursue a civil engineering degree. A Bolivia-native, Naia also wanted to attend an internationally-renown university with a warm and welcoming community. She found all she was looking for at Purdue.

Throughout much of her time at Purdue, civil engineering undergrad Lauren Sparber has been involved with the university's Engineers Without Borders chapter where they have been working on a water distribution system in Rwanda.

When Purdue Civil Engineering undergraduate Kyra Fales was looking for a university, she wanted three things: a strong civil engineering school, study abroad opportunities, and a co-op program. She found them all at Purdue University where she has been able to work for a civil engineering firm in Indianapolis and study abroad in Ecuador.

Going to Purdue University was never in doubt for Klayton Davis. With Purdue alumni for parents, the Boilermakers have always been a major part of his life. What wasn't certain, he said, was where he would study. But, after taking a few civil engineering courses, Klayton said he knew it was exactly what he was looking for.

Purdue Civil Engineering undergraduate Kashish Sharma has a passion for the arts and engineering. Through the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Kashish said she found the perfect way to work with both of her interests to create new structures that serve a need for the community and are beautiful to look at.

Joey Martin's emphasis area is in Transportation Engineering. Joey says that he discovered that he loved the engineering behind roads, traffic, and intersections while studying at Purdue University because it's all so vital to our everyday lives and it's becoming even more important as the U.S. transitions to smart and connected cities and vehicles.

Lyles School of Civil Engineering senior Laura Gustafson's emphasis areas are in Environmental Engineering and Hydraulics & Hydrology. Laura says she believes the best way she can make a difference and pursue her passions is through working to improve water infrastructure systems and ensuring a more sustainable future for everyone.

With an emphasis in Transportation Engineering, Lyles School of Civil Engineering undergrad Jack Bell says that he gained a great interest in micro-mobility and civil engineering as a whole upon coming to Purdue University, where he was able to join a research team and publish his own paper.

Jason Randall says that Purdue University had always been his dream school. In addition to growing up in a Purdue family, Jason has always had a strong interest in both engineering and the environment — and the Lyles School of Civil Engineering was the perfect match for him.

Lyles School of Civil Engineering senior Jasmine Walker says she's had a strong interest in civil engineering and architecture ever since she got to see the skyscrapers from around the world. She chose to come to Purdue University to pursue a civil engineering degree because of its formidable reputation and their offering of an architectural engineering concentration.

Civil Engineering undergrad Haydn Malackowski says he's always been into sports and engineering — so coming to Purdue University was an easy choice for him. Now a junior, Haydn is a board member for the Purdue Paint Crew. And, when he's not attending sporting events, Haydn works as a research assistant at the Lyles School of Civil Engineering.

Delaney said she's always had an interest in engineering and building design, so she knew she wanted to go somewhere that could best prepare her for that. Purdue University, she said, offered her exactly what she was looking for: an in-state option with one of the best civil engineering programs in the country.

Hannah Tomkins came to Purdue with a broad interest in civil engineering, but after she learned more about the Hydraulic and Hydrologic Engineering emphasis area it immediately appealed to her. The aspects of water quality and storm water management are so vital to this planet and it is something she said she wants to help preserve.

Matthew says he's always had a great interest in seeing big projects come together, so he knew he wanted to study somewhere that would prepare him for a career in civil engineering. A Washington native, Matthew says a dream of his is to be part of coastal projects, like bridge and pier design.

A Guatemala City native, Michael says he always knew he wanted to study civil engineering that one day he could create a subway system for his home country. He says he also knew that Purdue University's Lyles School of Civil Engineering was one of the best places in the world to prepare him to achieve his dream.

Purdue Civil Engineering undergraduate and Women's Soccer player Alexis Marks says she's always loved math and science and knew she wanted to pursue a degree that fed into those interests. After learning more about CE her freshman year, Alexis said she knew she found out where she wanted to go.

Purdue Civil Engineering undergrad William Taylor's emphasis area is in Structures. One of his career goals is to work abroad and in developing countries and improve the infrastructure. With so many advances in technology — like smart cities and connected vehicles — it'd be incredible to help design for emerging communities, he says.