Grad Spotlight: Hannah Wilks

Even if they’re in the same department, students at Northwestern Engineering do not take the same path. They can choose different extra-curricular activities or electives, seeing which interests develop and where that leads.

Hannah Wilks greatly appreciated that aspect of life at the McCormick School of Engineering.

“My experience combined mechanical engineering, sustainability, data science, leadership, internships, and hands-on project work, and all of those pieces helped shape what I want to do next,” Wilks said. “I am grateful for the flexibility to explore those interests and for the people I have learned from along the way.” 

Wilks is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and will continue her studies by pursuing a master’s in mechanical engineering after walking across the stage June 15 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

She discussed how her extra-curricular activities shaped her mindset, the skills she gained at McCormick, and more.

Why did you decide to pursue engineering at Northwestern?

I knew I wanted to pursue a practical degree that would allow me to explore a wide range of concepts, disciplines, and career paths. In high school, I was enrolled in an engineering program that solidified my interest in the field and showed me how much I enjoyed problem-solving and design. Northwestern stood out to me because of the breadth of the McCormick curriculum, the collaborative environment, and the opportunity to take a wide range of courses through the quarter system.

How did the McCormick curriculum help build a balanced, whole-brain ecosystem around your studies in your major?

McCormick’s curriculum helped me build both technical depth and creative problem-solving skills. Early project-based classes like Design Thinking and Communication gave me a chance to develop engineering concepts in a tangible way. That foundation was good for making the engineering concepts I was learning about in class feel less abstract and understand how they are applied directly to real-life systems and problems.

The breadth of the mechanical engineering curriculum also allowed me to explore many different areas within the field. Adding minors and coursework outside my major, such as the Machine Learning and Data Science minor, helped me expand my skill set even further and connect mechanical engineering with computational and analytical tools. Two of my favorite classes were IEMS 341: Social Networks Analysis and MECH_ENG 314: Theory of Machines - Dynamics. I really enjoyed the simulation-based modeling and the applications in both classes really helped me visualize and see what I am learning.

You served as chapter co-president of Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW) and completed internships at Accenture, Lightshift Energy, and with Architect of the Capitol during your time as an undergraduate. How have those experiences enhanced your time at Northwestern?

My extracurricular involvement and internships played a significant role in shaping my Northwestern experience. Through ESW at Northwestern, I was able to develop practical skills early on, including CAD and project management, before I had encountered some of those tools in formal coursework. ESW also gave me the opportunity to work on sustainability-focused engineering projects with other students who cared about similar issues, which helped clarify my interest in renewable energy and environmental work.

My internships were perhaps even more valuable because they helped me understand what I enjoy in a professional setting. They gave me real-world engineering experience, helped me build my network, and allowed me to explore different career paths.

What skills or knowledge did you learn in the undergraduate program that you think will stay with you for a lifetime?

The biggest skills I learned at Northwestern were balance and time management. I found the curriculum to be demanding at times. Learning how to manage a busy schedule while still making time for the things that matter to me is something I know will stay with me well beyond college. On the technical side, my undergraduate experience gave me a strong baseline intuition for mechanical engineering. Even as I continue to learn new tools and concepts, that foundation helps me approach problems with confidence and understand how different systems work.

What advice do you have for current and future Northwestern Engineering students?

Don’t be afraid of a challenge. Whether it is a difficult class, a demanding project, or a busy social calendar, those experiences often end up being the most rewarding. Trust the curve and get started ahead of time. It helps a lot.

At the same time, it is important to find your own balance. Push yourself, but also learn what helps you stay grounded. Northwestern offers so many opportunities, and I think the best experience comes from saying yes to challenges while also making space for the people, activities, and routines that keep you energized.

Editor's Note: This is the eighth in a series of Q&As with graduating Northwestern Engineering students leading up to the June 15 Undergraduate Convocation.