As The Stinger’s dedicated Joyce Chen drafts her future, she finds structural stability at Lehigh University, majoring in civil engineering. Chen aspires to become a civil engineer and work specifically with bridges and roads.
At Emmaus High School, Chen participated in extracurricular activities such as the Tattler’s head of layout, No Place for Hate vice president, Key Club treasurer, The Stinger as a deputy opinion editor, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Stinger: What inspired you to major in [civil engineering]?
Chen: I was originally interested in doing architecture because I was in a lot of drafting classes back in my freshman and sophomore years. And I really enjoyed those classes, but as I kept going on in my career, I realized that architecture is a lot more art-based, and I’m not a very good artist but I do like math and science. So I thought civil engineering was a good connection between the two.
Stinger: What advice would you give to underclassmen?
Chen: I think back when I was like an underclassman, I was just so nervous and anxious about everything and everyone. I just thought everyone was judging me, and I couldn’t be myself. I don’t know; I feel like I missed out on a lot because of that mindset. I was just really isolated when I could have just not been. Not everyone’s judging you. Just talk to people, join things, see if you like them. It’s okay to fail, it’s okay to be judged, it’s fine.
Stinger: What is your favorite school restroom?
Chen: Probably the one in the Tech Ed building, even though it is always locked.
Stinger: On a scale of 1-10, how much senioritis have you been experiencing this year?
Chen: Honestly, I don’t think I’m that bad. I would probably give myself like a seven. I can lock in when I want to, but I don’t want to.
Stinger: What are the most important lessons you learned during high school?
Chen: Take initiative, don’t just expect things to be handed to you, you have to just do stuff, even if you don’t get anything out of it. I think sometimes it’s just the experience, if you keep saying no to everything, you’re not gonna have a good time. It’s all about your mindset, not to be like one of those generic advice [givers], but it’s about your mindset. If you make something out to be boring and tedious, it’s going to be boring and tedious. But if you try to enjoy it, maybe you will find a little fun out of it.
Stinger: What is your favorite article you have written for The Stinger?
Chen: I feel my favorite article is my one column about relationships, that was coming from me during a very dark period in my life, and I just felt really good writing it out, releasing it, and letting it out there.
