Name: Susan Bazik
Hometown: Dyker Heights
Class: Sophomore
Major: Civil Engineering
What has your experience at Manhattan College been like so far?
“Well, my experience so far has been pretty awesome. I have met some of my best friends here at college that I know will be my best friends for life. I have also found a supportive network here amongst my peers and professor which encourages me to strive to reach my goals.”
What are some clubs or activities you have been/are involved in on campus?
“I am involved in ASCE, SWE, and SYWEA, and I am very excited I will be on the executive board for SWE for the 2016-2017 year. I have also participated in the LOVE program for LOVE Florida and I have also participated in a study abroad program this past winter where I went to Venice for a religion course and it was a great experience. And intramural sports. I don’t know if that counts.”
What do you enjoy doing on your free time?
“For starters, I like hanging out with my friends and taking trips into the city, listening to music and singing to my roommate’s dismay. I also like to read and have movie nights. Pretty simple.”
What problems do you find yourself facing when trying to make the most of your time at college?
“I would say the biggest problem is finding the time to be able to do everything that I want to do. Obviously there is a fine balance between engineering and having a social life and being dedicated to the clubs I’m in especially when taking on a leadership role. It’s about trying to strike a balance between having fun and doing work.”
If you could drop out of school tomorrow and start your life however you’d life, what would you do?
“I would definitely want to do some sort of service travel. I think that would be a great way to see the world because I love traveling and also giving back to the community and do what I want without having to worry about any income or time being an issue.”
If you could invite three people to dinner (dead or alive) who would you invite and why?
1) Jesus because he is such a huge figure even to this day and I also want to take the Jesus class here at Manhattan College.
2) My paternal grandfather because he was a civil engineering, and unfortunately he passed away before I was born. I’d love to talk to him and find out what we have in common.
3) Stevie Nicks because I love her so much.
Where do you find motivation or inspiration when you find you’re stuck?
“I definitely find support from my family and friends because even when I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel they see my potential and help me realize that I am above any obstacle and any setbacks that I have and they don’t defy me. When I am in a tight spot, I take a moment and step back to reflect and think about why I’m doing what I’m doing. “
What is something you wish more people knew about you?
“I wish people knew that I’m and introverted extrovert because why I may be shy on the surface I love being approached by people and meeting new people and getting to know them. Even though it’s hard for me to make that move because I have an innate shyness, I wish people knew I’d love to talk to them”
What compelled you to do civil engineering?
“Actually, I was drawn to civil engineering because I feel that it addresses peoples most basic needs through infrastructure, and I was drawn particularly to the environmental side because I think we all have an obligation to make the planet as good as it can be and as healthy as it can be so we can all enjoy it. It’s one thing I’m sure of in this world.”
What do you want to accomplish as an engineer?
“As a future engineer, I hope to take part in some of the major projects going on in NYC. I hope that I could find myself working in green building in some way because I think that green infrastructure is really the first thing we need to work on in order to create a more sustainable environment and so hopefully one of the next big projects you hear of my name will be on it.”