Billy Devers

Billy arrived from nearby Milton, Vermont expecting classes full of long lectures, piles of homework, and late-night study sessions.
He had an interest in civil engineering, but like many freshmen, wasn't sure if it would be the direction he stayed with.  Within the first few weeks, he realized the reality was far different from what he had pictured.  His classes felt more like working labs, where he applied concepts instead of just listening.  In the small program, professors knew his name, classmates felt like teammates, and civil engineering started to look like the future he wanted to pursue.

In the lab, Billy gained the kind of experience that made him start to feel like an engineer in training.
A trip to the Waterbury Dam with the American Society of Civil Engineers club left the strongest impression.  Standing at the base of the massive structure, hearing how engineers managed its water systems, sparked excitement that set his sights on dam engineering.  Guiding him through it all was his advisor, Dr. Sevi, who started as an academic guide but soon became a mentor.  With encouragement and practical advice, that relationship opened doors to internships, research, and projects that kept Billy moving forward.

By senior year, the impact of that support was clear.
Billy and his advisor developed a capstone project that became an in-depth study he later presented at an international conference in Montreal.  Beyond the classroom, he took on leadership roles in the American Society of Engineers club, earned recognition in honor societies, and brought new energy to the Ultimate Frisbee team as its president.  These experiences strengthened his skills and deepened his commitment to civil engineering.  When he walked across the stage at graduation, he was ready to begin his career in dam engineering.

Billy's story shows how uncertainty can turn info confidence through experience and guidance.  He found his place in civil engineering and left knowing he could keep building on that success.