My name is Mariana Magallon and I am a junior at Texas A&M University, graduating in May 2024. I am working towards a B.S in Civil Engineering, with hopes to obtain my P.E and down the line go into project management for transportation or water resource engineering.

A little about me: I am a Panamanian-American from Houston, TX who loves to run, workout, be outdoors, listen to classic rock, eat tacos, explore new cities, and be a life-long learner. 

I've always had an interest for how the basis of society is built and what the design and construction process consists of. I think that the complex system of highways, water systems, and public transport is really fascinating and its systematic process. I also love understanding why construction projects were built in the way they were, to serve different populations and to preserve the environment. Finding solutions to new civil engineering-related issues that may arise within society is something I have great interest in pursuing. In addition, I have a love for problem solving and actively enjoy looking for creative solutions to complex problems. 

Some of my involvement and professional development stems from my involvement in The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), serving as the internal affairs chair and company relations representative for the Texas A&M Civil Engineering Ambassador program, and being a CLEN 181 peer mentor where I help students navigate their first year as an engineering student. Similarly, I dedicate time to working in broadcast as a Broadcast Engineer, which has me working in a team to enhance sporting broadcast quality and troubleshoot technical issues during live Texas A&M SECN sporting events. I also serve as the service chair for my women's organization, Alpha Zeta Chi, where I organize and execute service events to stay involved within the Bryan-College Station community. 

Additionally, I am adaptable and able to quickly learn new engineering software where applicable. I have implemented this knowledge this past summer with my internship as a Civil Engineering Intern for Burgess & Niple in Austin, TX. In this role, I got to learn about the consulting world and how projects are designed and managed. I worked closely with the Water Resources team on projects involving water well design, water pump design, pipe network design, and tank design for cities in West Texas who regularly experience drought. This internship allowed me to experience firsthand the impact and importance that Civil Engineering has on society and the various components involved in a project. My second internship was with Atwell LLC, where I got to work on all phases of a project life cycle for both residential and commercial developments. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn through conducting design calculations, due diligence studies, and assisting with construction management tasks. 

As for the future of my career, I am eager to learn more about the civil engineering profession and am actively looking for a full-time position, since I graduate in May 2024. Some sectors I'm interested in includes Transportation Engineering, Public Works, Land Development, or Construction Engineering. With internships, industry exposure, networking, involvement in student orgs, and my classes, I hope to grow and expand my knowledge and passion for Civil Engineering.