My name is Brianna Rourke, and I plan on pursuing a career in astronautical engineering.  I have wanted to go into engineering since around elementary school age.  However, I started narrowing it down to aerospace in the 7th grade.

My goal by the end of high school is to take as many classes as I can that are directly related to my career path as I can.   I am currently taking AP Calculus BC, as well as a hands-on engineering program at the Tech Center. These classes will all further my knowledge in the math's and sciences to propel me in my career path.  I joined clubs such as NHS, NTHS, and NSHSS in order to be better held accountable for my grades and effort.  I am also enrolled in the College of Southern Maryland.  So far I have taken psychology, design basics, pre calculus, trigonometry, and English Composition.  I hope that this will jumpstart my college experience, this way when I do get to the point where I can take specified engineering classes, I will already have multiple graduating credits.  

Alongside my classes, I always try to make sure I leave some room for extracurriculars.  I am currently participating in Marching Band, SkillsUSA, Robotics, and Girl Scouts.  All of these things and more have collectively taught me many important life skills which I will use in my day to day adult life.  For example, marching band has taught me discipline, time management, and self accountability, and Girl Scouts has above all taught me leadership and responsibility.  I have done robotics for 5 years, however, this is my second year on the Talons, which is a college robotics team at my local community college.  This gave me experience in driver control robotics, programming, mechanics, drafting, as well as writing an engineering notebook.  All of these skills can be directly translated into any engineering career I choose.

I do not have a formal job yet, however, I have worked my fair share of odd jobs.  The summer of 2020, I started a dog walking business to save money.  I walked three of the dogs in my neighborhood for $2 a walk.  After I stopped walking dogs, I started soldering perf boards for my neighbor as well.  I been a mentor at a summer camp called Camp St. Charles for two years, and well as a junior counselor for a camp for kids with Spina Bifida called Camp Spifida. 

Besides after school activities, jobs, and sports, I also love to volunteer.  I have been a volunteer with Connect Me Tutoring, Pets Together, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), and the Essex County Animal Shelter. 

After high school, I plan on attending a four year college such as RIT or UMD with a major in aerospace or mechanical engineering, and a possible minor in buisness. I hope to earn most of my credits for my associates degree as quickly as possible.  I can do this by taking classes through the gifted and talented program and dual enrollment.   

After college, I plan to start my own business gaining and selling patents, as well as selling manufactured prototypes I make.  No matter what my job is, I hope to impact many people around me.  I love engineering because I get to help people by doing what I love.  I hope, one day, I will be able to do this every day, so that I can make the world a better place, the way I know how.