Maggie Gallagher
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Hometown: Allentown, PA
Why did you choose Pitt?
I chose Pitt because I felt at home here. I love the city atmosphere without it being too overwhelming and the school spirit we have! I wanted a school that was big enough to have D1 sports and plenty of outside of the classroom opportunities, but not too big that I got lost in the student body. I particularly like the Swanson School of Engineering because of the vast amount of academic opportunities I could achieve as an undergrad such as International Experience, Research, and Co-op as well as not feeling like it is a “weed out” school and instead they encourage and want you to succeed.
Advice for First-Year Engineering Students
Get involved! I know it’s easier said than done because the first year can be intimidating with the work load and being new to college, but trust me you will wish you joined certain clubs and organizations earlier than you do. Also, be friendly and make friends in your classes! Chances are the people around you want to make friends their first year just as much as you do, and it makes classes much more enjoyable when you aren’t going through it alone.
Extracurricular Involvement and Other Campus Jobs
Eboard for Theta Tau, ASCE member
Plans for the Future
I will graduate Fall of 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Construction Management and a minor in Industrial Engineering. I hope to work in the Construction Management Industry following my graduation. Graduate school may be in my future, but I don’t plan on heading there straight after graduating. I’d like to experience industry post-co-op and see where life takes me.