Bryn Grunwald
#ILookLikeAnEngineer
What does #iLookLikeAnEngineer mean to you?
I like to dress up, wear makeup, and look pretty. I like politics, economics, and social sciences. I cry when I watch hedgehog videos and I love Adventure Time. All of my whimsy does not detract from the fact that I am willing to get down and dirty in either the machine shop or analysis of a system. I can wear what I want, do what I like, and still be respected as an engineer. My pretty femininity doesn't detract from my intellect, and nor do my soft skills.
Why did you choose engineering at CU Boulder?
I lived through Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. I was originally thinking of doing more computational linguistics, but then I realized the benefits I could give the world translating science for laypeople in developing countries in post-disaster scenarios. CU had research, engineering, and International Affairs. It was perfect. Plus, I get to work on a research project on the Philippines through the civil engineering department.
What are your career goals?
I want to work in either energy policy on the national level or international post disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation in developing countries.
What are your hobbies?
- Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art)
- Writing
- Overanalyzing kids' cartoons
- Biking
- Dancing (I love contra)
- Cooking
- Reading
What do you enjoy most about engineering?
I love the analytical side! So heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics...I like seeing how the world works and why. Also I like machining.
What are three things that make you unique?
1. I've won a Silver Medal in the National Scholastic Arts and Writing Competition (2013).
2. I speak fluent Spanish and Swedish.
3. I've studied abroad three times - Sweden (2011), Philippines (2013), and Bolivia (2015).
What is your favorite engineering experience?
I really like research. My research in civil engineering is pretty qualitative—it's analyzing post-disaster trainings and reconstruction in the Philippines. It's cool seeing how the analytical side of engineering applies to such a qualitative scenario.
Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I'm also graduating with a BA in International Affairs and a minor in Space!
Bryn Grunwald, Class of 2018, Mechanical Engineering