By: Isabelle Egizio
To the readers of the Wisconsin Engineer Magazine –
When I first joined the Wisconsin Engineer Magazine in Fall 2021, the future of the magazine was uncertain. Like many other student organizations, it was still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this challenge, I have seen the magazine and the organization itself transform over the course of ten issues. Beginning as a writer my freshman year, I have had the privilege working with members of the College of Engineering and greater Madison community to write stories, express my opinions and ideas, and reimagine the magazine itself, leaving my mark on its more than one hundred year old history.
I still remember wandering through the engineering student organization fair before my freshman year and stumbling across the Wisconsin Engineer Magazine booth. At the time, I could not have imagined that my decision to sign up for the kickoff meeting would transpire into me becoming editor-in-chief three years later. What started with one article quickly grew into a series of opportunities to write about everything from the chaos of freshman year to the thrill of engineering innovation in Formula 1. Along the way, I had the privilege of working with people across the College of Engineering and the greater Madison community to bring meaningful stories to life.
This passion for writing led me to apply for a writing head position my junior year. In that role, I had the chance to guide and support our writers, helping them build confidence in their voices and develop the skills to succeed both at the magazine and in their future careers. One of my goals was always to broaden the scope of our content, and mentoring the next generation of writers became one of the most rewarding parts of my involvement.
With these goals in mind, I started off my time as editor-in-chief with the new challenge of doubling our annual publications. It was an ambitious goal, and the deadlines often felt daunting, but the experience pushed me to implement lasting changes to the magazine. I am truly proud of the progress we have made and hope these ideas outlive my time as editor-in-chief.
Through my work in the magazine, I discovered a deeper appreciation for technical communication, which has since reshaped my professional goals. It was here, surrounded by talented individuals and leaders, that I realized I want to pursue a career in patent law to combine my background in chemical engineering with my passion of writing.
Although I still have one year left in my undergraduate studies, I am already utilizing the lessons, leadership experience, and friendships the magazine has provided me. I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as a writer, writing head, and editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Engineer Magazine. I am especially grateful for my co-editor-in-chief, Laila Smith. Thank you for keeping me sane during the busiest weeks of the semester in the midst of exams, my coursework, and other extracurricular involvement.
In another four years, I hope to continue to read about the success of not only this magazine but its upcoming leadership team as well. This team is truly filled with incredibly talented individuals, and I am grateful that my decision to attend the kickoff meeting my freshman year led me to work with and lead these exceptional people.