- Major: Industrial Engineering
- Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Graduation Year: May 2023
- E-mail: hselph@vols.utk.edu
Ambassador Profile
Hey future engineers!
My name is Hannah Selph, and I am currently a junior majoring in Industrial Engineering. I grew up in the suburbs of Knoxville, and I have had such an amazing time exploring more of the city since entering college. Attending the University of Tennessee has transformed Knoxville from simply being where I live into my community. Outside of school, I enjoy hiking with friends and family in the Great Smoky Mountains, getting coffee at every chance, and reading during my free time.
Pursuing engineering was never my plan during middle and high school, but it has been one of the best choices I have made. Currently, I am an Industrial Engineering (IE) major in the Tickle College Engineering (TCE). My wheelhouse has always been in the realm of literature and history, never physics and calculus. However, beginning in high school, I observed how a dedicated advisor, director, or teacher can shape a program and positively impact the associated students. Based on these first-hand experiences, I was increasingly interested in pursuing a career that would allow me to do that same for groups that need a helping hand. Not feeling that my initial Computer Science major was the right fit for me, I was searching for a major that better aligned with my interests. IE was the sweet spot in engineering that I was searching for. I am studying how to make systems, businesses, and programs more productive by evaluating work, flow, and economic efficiency. I have also learned that the necessary skillsets needed to pursue engineering is often interdisciplinary. Students with a wide variety of interests and skills outside of math and science can find a place in TCE. I was originally hesitant to pursue engineering because it was outside of my comfort zone, but I ended up finding a home within the program. I have discovered that engineers come from all walks of life, academic backgrounds, and interests, and I am so excited to meet all of our future engineering Vols!
I am exploring my professional interests more and more as I continue through college, and I am excited to participate in more internships in the near future. The beginning of my professional journey centered around the advocacy of Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Those experiences have allowed me to discover my interest in improving existing programs and advancing new ones. While evaluating my industry interests, I am enthusiastically looking forward to pursuing opportunities that will allow me to work with program/project management or processes improvement. This past summer, I was able to learn about project management, reliability, and maintainability while interning with Weyerhaeuser OSB. TCE assists in the process of pursuing professional opportunities, and I am excited to see what this year will bring.
Within TCE and UT, I have enjoyed the positive and collaborative environment that I have experienced. One of the aspects that drew me to pursue engineering was the innovation I have seen created by professionals working together to solve an issue. Desiring to work hands on with human systems, team work and the idea of having people/resources to rely on is important to me. TCE offers ample access to tutoring, study rooms, group projects, and so much more to help students as they face tough coursework. Through UT, I also found community through a variety of extracurriculars. Freshman year, I was president of the Magnolia Dogwood Residence Hall Association, a member of Student Government Association’s First Year Council, and a participant in the VolBreaks Program (one of my favorite campus programs). Last year, I was a member of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (IBEP), a TCE Outreach Ambassador, a member of the Chancellor’s Honors Program (CHP) as well as the professional co-ed engineering fraternity Theta Tau. This year, I am excited to continue on in IBEP, CHP, and as a TCE College Ambassador. I appreciate knowing that I have new friends and resources I can go to for academic or personal issues. I enjoy the feeling of togetherness among peers who care about me.
If you have any questions about the University of Tennessee in general, the Tickle College of Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or other groups on campus please reach out to me! I have found a home here at UT and within the TCE, and I hope that after exploring your various options, you will too! Go TCE and go Vols!
