Hannah Olson
Hometown
Kingsland, GA
High School
Camden County High School
Degree
B.S. Civil Engineering
Expected Graduation
Spring 2027
What is your favorite thing about being a student at UGA?
My favorite thing about being a student at UGA has to be the community and how supportive and willing to help everyone I’ve met has been. I was nervous I would struggle to fit in and make friends coming into college, but I have met so many wonderful people. I love how close knit the college of engineering is, this community has been there for me through thick and thin and pushed me to be the best I can be.
Why did you choose engineering?
To me, being an engineer is about serving people and communities. I chose to pursue civil engineering because I want to help people and make a positive impact on the world. I believe engineering provides me the best path to do that, because engineers are able to work on the very systems that keep society running. In a way, engineering is like an invisible discipline. You don’t really see the work engineers do, and they typically aim to be as undisruptive as possible, but without them water, power, and society as a whole wouldn’t function. When engineers are doing their job and a disaster strikes, life can continue on as normal. That’s what I love about engineering.
Why is it important for the university to have an inclusive community?
Solutions and problems come in all shapes and sizes and everyone brings with them a unique perspective due to their individual backgrounds and lives. It’s important to foster diverse communities, especially in college, because it reminds us that our world and the struggles we experience can be vastly different from the other’s experiences and world. That is paramount for young engineers and students to realize, as they are the future of the world. Diversity breeds creativity and encourages critical thinking. It reminds us there is always more to learn and that sometimes all it takes is looking at something from a new angle to find a solution.
What has been the greatest challenge you have faced while at UGA, and how did you overcome it?
One of my greatest challenges has been figuring out how to balance my courseload and responsibilities with finding time to spend with friends and on my own personal hobbies, which has been especially challenging because of my neurodiversity. College and high school were very different beasts for me, and I struggled to not feel frustrated with myself for having trouble with things that most people seemed to do with ease. With time, I have realized that one’s harshest critic is often themself. Not comparing myself to others, realizing that all I can give is my best, and listening to my body, has helped me to be kind to myself, reduce stress and find a healthy balance.
What have you learned that has made a difference for you?
One of the most important lessons that I have learned is the value of failure. Often society stigmatizes failure, but it is a natural part of life. Sometimes it is just as important to learn what doesn’t work and understand why, as it is to find the solution. Learning to get back up, persevere, and turn failure into a learning experience has helped me grow as a person. This has also allowed me to have so many opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I had just given up.
Who has helped you become a successful student at UGA?
During my time at UGA I have had many mentors. Some of my biggest supporters have been Dr. Durham, Dr. Garcia, and Dr. Santiago-Collazo. They have always been in my corner cheering me on and encouraging me to seek my goals. In addition, Victoria Lam has been an amazing friend and mentor, helping me learn and grow professionally as well as navigate the often confusing professional world. My friends and family have also been wonderful, and sometimes a kind word from someone I love is all it takes to give me the motivation I need to succeed.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
I love the turtle pond near the forest resources building! It is very peaceful and a great place to take a breather and de-stress. When I’m having a rough day, watching the turtles swim around always brings a smile to my face.
What has been your favorite class at UGA?
That is a tough question haha, I’m not sure if I have a favorite class because there are so many contenders! If I had to pick, I would say my favorite class has been AESC 2050, Effects of Global Agriculture on World Culture with Dr. Kiepper. I definitely was not expecting to fall in love with this class, but Dr. Kiepper has a way with words. I never would have thought agriculture was so connected with everything. Every day I went to class I felt like I came out with a new perspective. I still think about one of his favorite quotes, “Your world is not the world”. I believe it is especially important for engineers to keep that in mind, because every community we attempt to design a solution for, requires us to be conscious of the culture, history, and needs of the people.
What has been your best memory at UGA?
My best memory at UGA is probably the day of my 20th birthday. Nothing particularly eventful happened but I remember looking at all my friends that had come and feeling so honored and loved. I used to really struggle with making and keeping friends and I never expected to find so many people that were just like me in college. I was so happy to have all my closest friends in one room together.
What advice do you have for younger students who wish to pursue engineering?
My advice would be to get involved and try everything that sounds like it might be interesting, even if it isn’t engineering related. You do not have to stick with everything, but just try. That’s how I met some of my best friends. Also, don’t be afraid to struggle, ask questions, or utilize office hours and free tutoring. Engineering can be very difficult at times, and the adjustment from high school to college can be very rough, but there are so many resources out there for students. At the end of the day, your professors want to see you succeed and there is never any shame in struggling or in asking for help.
How do you hope to impact society with your engineering degree?
I hope to inspire others, show that neurodiversity is not a barrier to success, and work to make society safer and more accessible to those who are often overlooked. I think everyone deserves to have a basic quality of life and access to essential resources and I hope that by working to improve and protect our infrastructure I can help make this dream a reality.
