Bailey Martinez
Hometown
Dacula, Georgia
High School
Mill Creek High School
Degree Major
Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology minor
Expected Graduation
May 2023
What is your favorite thing about being a student at UGA?
My favorite thing about being a student at UGA is that there’s a place or group for everyone! UGA has so many different organizations and opportunities, it is easy to find people with common interested, even just within the College of Engineering itself!
Why did you choose engineering?
I have always had a passion for making things and discovering how different mechanisms work. A memory that has had a lasting impact on me is when my grandpa taught me how to solder as a kid. If it weren’t for experiences like that in my youth, I am not sure I would be the engineer I am today.
Why is it important for the university to have a diverse community?
I think it’s essential for the college to be as welcoming as it can be for underrepresented groups. By providing a place for people to belong, such as some of the student organizations we currently have, the college creates a more inclusive environment that enables students to achieve their full potential and be exposed to many different viewpoints.
What has been the greatest challenge you have faced while at UGA, and how did you overcome it?
The greatest challenge for me, initially, was striking a good balance between classes and other engagements such as being on SWE Exec and my internship with Rockwell Automation. Eventually, I found a system for organizing all of my time to ensure I stayed on top of all my obligations.
What have you learned that has made a difference for you?
One of the main lessons I have learned is that you sometimes have to go outside your comfort zone and push your knowledge to its limits in order to find success on difficult projects and to further grow your skills.
Who has helped you become a successful student at UGA?
Many of the previous Society of Women Engineers Exec members shaped me into who I am today and provided tons of guidance when I first joined. Now, I try to do the same for younger member! Additionally, Dr. Garcia has been such a tremendous help and really made such a positive impact on my experience as a student since she joined the college.
What is your favorite spot on campus and why?
My favorite spot on campus is Boyd! I love to study next to the Jittery Joe’s so that on long study sessions, I can refuel myself with some more tea lattes.
What is your favorite restaurant in Athens?
My favorite restaurant in Athens is Cali-N-Tito’s! I thoroughly enjoy the food and atmosphere there and have made many great memories at the restaurant, as well! My fist ever Society of Women Engineers Exec meeting was hosted there and one of the older members introduced me to the banana shake, forever shaping my Cali-N-Tito’s order and my palette as a whole.
What has been your favorite class at UGA?
I really enjoyed taking Statics with Savadatti. It was one of the first flipped classes that I had taken and I really enjoyed the types of problems we had to solve! Outside of engineering, my favorite class has to be Primate Ecology & Evolution. I have focused my minor on the biological aspect of anthropology because I find the study of how the structures of various primates (including us) best suit different locomotions and functions.
What has been your best memory at UGA?
I would say my favorite memory has to be attending the Society of Women Engineers Conference in Houston this past fall. It was such an honor to be one of the first to attend in person from UGA, and I am so glad we got to bring such a great bunch with us. I had a wonderful time connecting with the group and even had the added bonus of seeing some of my family during the trip!
What advice do you have for younger students who wish to pursue engineering?
My biggest piece of advice to aspiring, young engineers is to try new things, even if those things seem to have nothing to do with what you want to do in the future. College is the time to find out what interests you, whether that be through internships with some companies, adding a minor, or doing a study abroad program! Those experiences can help give you new perspectives to engineering problems, make you look well-rounded to employers, and overall it’s just fun to broaden your horizons and make the most of your college experience!
How do you hope to impact society with your engineering degree?
I hope that I can encourage other people from underrepresented groups to pursue engineering. My goal is to continue to uplift our community in pursuit of mutual growth and success. Furthermore, I hope to impact the manufacturing industry with innovative ideas and new perspectives that come from the skills I have learned and experiences I have had as a UGA Engineering student.
