Keara Barron: "You have a lot of hard work ahead of you, but you'll form a lot of authentic friendships and gain confidence in yourself along the way."

Why did you choose to come to Mines? What have you enjoyed most about being here?

I chose to come to Mines because I wanted to attend a college that would challenge me. I was also drawn to the smaller community that Mines offered and the beautiful location. I have enjoyed both of those things so much since coming to Golden, especially the community. Everyone is so kind and eager to support one another, whether that support is from my beloved classmates in the Geology and Geological Engineering Department, or other organizations that I'm involved in on campus.

What communities, groups or organizations—on- and off-campus—are important to you and why?

The Navigators has had a huge impact on my life here at Mines. We're a campus ministry that seeks to study the word of God and have intentional relationships with one another. Through the Navigators, I've grown a lot in my faith and built friendships that have helped me thrive in college. Another organization I'm involved in is Tau Beta Pi. We're an engineering honor society with a chapter on the Mines campus. Through Tau Beta Pi, I've been able to be more involved on campus and Mines' traditions. Volunteering during E-Days events like the cardboard boat race has really boosted my school spirit and made me feel more connected to the student body.

What are your plans for the future? What's your dream job?

After graduating this May, I start an internship with BGC Engineering here in Golden. Come fall, I begin work on my Master's in geological engineering at Mines. I'm also getting married to a fellow Oredigger this summer!

I would say my dream job involves geohazard consulting, whether that includes rockfall analysis with remote sensing techniques, or rockfall and landslide mitigation.

What would you tell someone interested in joining your academic program or Mines in general?

To anyone interested in geological engineering, join the department! You get to learn about an unusual and fascinating field and spend time outdoors doing it. Not to mention that each faculty member is so supportive and an expert in their field.

To anyone interested in attending Mines, I would say it's a rewarding experience. You have a lot of hard work ahead of you, but you'll form a lot of authentic friendships and gain confidence in yourself along the way. Stay humble whenever people commend you for going to Mines or "being smart" and fight against the urge to complain at any point in your college experience.