A Budding Engineer Returns to KUA to Grow

“I pride myself in knowing a lot of people on campus — that was one of my main things. I wanted to know all the people who went here and all the people who worked here,” Kozak said of her time as a student. “Now I’m realizing that there were a lot more people I didn't know, working hard behind the scenes, who I never came across.” 

That realization came about this summer as Kozak spent eight weeks working as an intern under Director of Capital Projects & Facilities Planning Larry Osmer. As a civil engineering major, the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) sophomore helped facilitate a range of campus capital improvement projects during the department’s busiest season.

Kozak completed inventory checks in residence halls, oversaw a relocation of theater storage, and participated in a study regarding drainage issues on the softball field — an issue close to her heart as an alumna of the program and current third baseman for WPI.

“Stella showed up this summer with an open mind and willingness to learn,” said Osmer, who designed and oversaw Kozak’s internship. “It’s been impressive to see her tackle projects that were unfamiliar to her and seeing the great results that come about from her efforts. Stella approached many tasks as learning opportunities and it was truly enjoyable participating and offering some advice along the way.”

Kozak said internships are encouraged of WPI students following their first year and that she knew exactly where to turn for hers. Determined to give back to her alma mater in some capacity, said she would have been grateful to do just about anything on campus but was thrilled when Osmer responded with a personalized job description designed to complement her coursework in civil engineering.

“I reached out originally because, being an all-school president, I had a lot of experience working with faculty and staff and I just loved it,” Kozak explained. “I was like, ‘how can I give back?’ because KUA has given me so many opportunities. And then Larry responded with a plan that would allow me to give back to a school I really appreciate while also allowing me to learn and grow my resume.”

Kozak spent a day in Boston at Reed Hilderbrand, an innovate landscape architecture firm known for its work in climate adaptive strategies. She called the experience deeply inspirational and said it opened her eyes to the varying kinds of work a civil engineer can undertake as a career path. 

Kozak then utilized some of what she learned in Boston to design a new garden behind the baseball field backstop.

“Compared to some students, I wasn't nearly as stressed about living away from home or managing my academics with my athletics because I felt like I already had that foundation,” Kozak said of her college transition. “I was like, ‘okay, I know I can set time to have study hours and set time to hang out with people and everything else. KUA definitely prepared me to be able to manage my time and stay organized.”

From Osmer’s point of view, Kozak’s internship was a win-win. Not only could he share a little knowledge with a recent alumni interested in a related career path, but he also received meaningful help from a true Wildcat. 

“This internship was designed to offer relevance to her field of study and give her valuable insight to what her profession may look like in the future,” Osmer said. “Stella's primary goal for her internship was to give back to KUA and she certainly did. I hope she comes back next year!”