Hudson, Melina

Why you chose Pitt:

As I began my college search, I was looking for three specific criteria: a strong engineering school, a large marching band, and proximity to a safe city. The University of Pittsburgh offered me all of these opportunities. When I toured the Swanson School of Engineering, I was drawn in by the collaborative, creative, and hardworking vibe of the students. I saw students who genuinely enjoyed both their work and whom they were working with. I felt like I fit right in, so I decided to go to Pitt.  

Advice to a First Year Engineering Student:

My advice is to throw perfectionism out the window! I was used to being ahead in my classes in high school, but quickly learned that college is an entirely different animal. I would recommend embracing difficulty. To help you get through your transition, join clubs to make a network of people that you can spend time with and ask for help.      

Extracurricular involvement and Future Goals:

Outside of class, I play the tenor sax in the Varsity Marching Band at Pitt. I am also involved in the band service fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. Finally, I am involved in the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which has really helped me to meet my classmates outside of the class room, network, and grow as a person. In the future, I hope to work for an organization that makes a positive impact on the environment.