Tiger Heritage Spotlight: Kristin Zatwarnicki BS ’17

Why did you choose to attend RIT?

I first learned about RIT in high school through my involvement with FIRST Robotics. During my senior year in high school, I visited campus for a College and Careers weekend. My first impression was that I loved the campus! I loved the atmosphere, and I appreciated the effort faculty and students made so that we felt welcomed.

I knew I wanted to be an engineer but I wasn’t sure which engineering discipline I wanted to pursue. When it was time to apply, I entered RITs Engineering Exploration program. The Exploration program gave me the time and opportunity to learn more about each major before deciding. I was also interested in RIT’s co-op program that would allow students to work a whole year of paid internships in their field of student before graduating – making us more marketable.

What about college were you least prepared for?

In high school, I was one of the kids that did not need to study to do well. I could walk into a test after barely reviewing the material and get an A. College was completely different. Calculus and physics were hard! I realized I could not retain the material just from going to class and doing the homework, I had to put in the work to learn the material; it was a big wakeup call but a common feeling for freshmen.

I was suddenly in charge of managing my own time and figuring out how much time I needed to study to do well, and I struggled with it. I needed help! I found calculus really difficult and unintuitive and ended up spending a lot of time in the tutoring center. It was a long and difficult process, but eventually I got the hang of it.  

Who influenced you most during your time at RIT?

I had so many role models while at RIT. KGCOE faculty and staff like Dr. Lam, Professor Landschoot, WE@RIT Director Kathy Ehrlich-Scheffer, and former ME co-op advisor Sarah Burke were all huge parts of my RIT experience.

I think my biggest influences were my friends, classmates, and roommates. We chose classes together, did homework together, and stayed up all night laughing when we should have been studying. College is not college without a community.

What were your favorite classes and why?

Contemporary Issues in Mechanical Engineering was one of the few ME classes that required writing papers, but I enjoyed it the most. We discussed engineering ethics, emerging technologies, career paths, and so much more.

Multidisciplinary Senior Design – I had an awesome team for a project that we loved.

Wines of the World – The most fun class at RIT that I looked forward to it each week. I still use what I learned every time I select a new wine at the store or at a restaurant figuring out what pairs well with my meal.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at RIT?

Get involved. Join a club that sounds interesting to you. Put effort into making connections. Volunteer for a leadership role even if you are not sure you are qualified. The only way to grow is to challenge yourself. Go to hockey games.

What advice would you have for your 18–24-year-old self?

Not everything is going to be perfect. You are going to mess up sometimes, and that is ok. You will learn and grow from it, but you do not have to dwell on past mistakes.

How would you describe being a female student at RIT and in your field?

As a student, I was involved with groups that supported women. I was part of RIT’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE), a student-staff member and volunteer for Women in Engineering, and a lead sub-system engineer on RIT Hot Wheelz. Even though my classes only had one or two other women, I never felt alone or like I was missing out on having friendships with other women engineering students. I have tried to do the same now that I have graduated. To this day, I am still a dedicated SWE member and leader in the Detroit professional section and attend events hosted by women’s groups at work.

How did your RIT education prepare you for what you are doing today?

RIT gave me so many opportunities to succeed after college. My co-ops showed me what I did and did not want out of a career. I learned from Hot Wheelz how to take on challenging projects and lead a team. In both my classes and project teams, I learned how to solve complex problems, manage my time, and work with others, all of which are invaluable skills in the professional world.

Describe RIT in three words.

Inclusive, supportive, innovative.

Fun fact about yourself?

I collect pins from Disney theme parks.