Get to Know: Brittany Endsley

Each year, departments in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Wyoming nominate their top graduating senior for the Wyoming Engineering Society Student Engineer of the Year honor. The WES Scholarships and Awards Committee will review written nomination forms and interview each candidate to select the Student Engineer of the Year.

Name: Brittany Endsley
Hometown: Laramie, Wyo.
Major: Chemical Engineering; minor in accounting

Why did you choose UW for your education? I grew up in Wyoming, so there are really great scholarships for in-state graduates. I also knew that they offered a prestigious engineering education.

Why did you want to study engineering? I originally thought I wanted to major in mathematics because I have always loved it and been good at it. Once I learned that it was a lot of theory, I switched over to engineering undeclared because I wanted to do more application than theory. I finally decided on chemical engineering because I loved my advanced placement chemistry class in high school and I didn’t enjoy physics quite as much.

What sets UW engineering apart? The faculty in the chemical engineering department are amazing. They truly care about their students and their futures. I have had quite a few professors who also really enjoy getting to know their students on a more personal level. I am also fond of all my peers in chemical engineering. They are supportive and fun to be around.

Do you participate in any extracurricular activities? I am the president of the Society of Women Engineers, the treasurer of Tau Beta Pi, the vice president of finance for Phi Sigma Rho and a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

What are your post-graduation plans? I would like to immediately enter the workforce. I want to get some industry experience in my back pocket before doing anything else. I would really like to come back to school after a while to get a master's in business administration, though–maybe through UW because it features a dual MS/MBA degree.

What are some of your thoughts on being the department nominee for such a prestigious honor? It definitely came as a surprise. I didn’t even know I was one of the top students in my academic class. I know I’m extremely involved in multiple societies, but to be picked over every other qualified student is truly amazing and I am very grateful for it.