“After taking a high school civil engineering class, I did what any resourceful high schooler would do when making major life decisions: I googled ‘best schools for civil engineering,’” joked Cambry Stratton.
Although she may have initially looked into the Cockrell School of Engineering through a Google search, Stratton knew the first time she stepped foot on campus that she made the right decision. Then, she set out to make the most of her four years here.
“I had a mindset of not saying no, which led me to various experiences outside of my studies including research exploration, studying abroad, and involvement in student organizations,” Stratton said. “These experiences shaped my technical knowledge as a novice engineer as well as my broader world view and life perspective.”
Throughout her time at Cockrell, Stratton spent time learning across engineering fields. She joined a geotechnical research lab, spent a summer as a drill blast intern at Kiewit, and served as co-chair of the Fariborz Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Advisory Board. She also gave the opening address at UT’s annual volunteer leadership committee meeting last year.
“I think as an engineer at UT, you really develop a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality,” Stratton said. “You’re spending so many hours studying and doing schoolwork that you really just want the most fun activity to do on the weekends.”
Her weekend activity of choice became one she knew very little about before coming to the Forty Acres: wakeboarding. As a freshman, Stratton attended a student organization fair where she met members of Texas Wake, the UT wakeboarding and wakesurfing team. She knew immediately it was the place for her. Stratton organized group trips for the team, wakesurfed at Lake Como while she studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, and eventually became president of Texas Wake.
After graduation, Stratton will work as a civil engineer in Austin and is excited to stay close to campus. She said becoming a Texas Ex after the past four years is bittersweet.
“I can’t help but feel eternally grateful for the people who have shaped the journey, provided support during the toughest moments of earning this degree and have always made it known that we are never truly alone as Longhorns.”
