One of her favorite opportunities has been volunteering with the Coral Restoration Foundation in Bonaire, Netherland Antilles. Coral restoration involves growing coral on underwater trees to support its regeneration, then implanting these baby corals onto restoration reef sites.
“By protecting the coral, you’re protecting the tourism economy in small coastal communities that rely on divers coming to the area,” she said. “The way I want to use my degree is to figure out how we can build things that are safe for the earth and safe for the people who will use them.”
In addition to SWE, Avalon is involved with the American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers, Student Government Association, serves as a College of Engineering student ambassador, and teaches Les Mills BODYPUMP fitness classes at the Ramsey Center and local YMCAs.
“They actually held a BODYPUMP training at Ramsey and the cost of my certification was partially subsidized by UGA. I get paid to work out, which is cool.”
Most recently, the third-year student has been interning at Walt Disney World in the Environmental Programs department, helping the company reach its sustainability goals. She only intended to intern with Disney for one semester, but was offered a summer extension. She is now helping reduce emissions and electricity usage in the park, by creating and implementing programs to retrofit parks and resorts lighting to LED.
“It’s been an invaluable experience, and I know that what I have learned here can’t be learned in a classroom,” Avalon says. “When I went into engineering, I thought it was a self-sufficient major, but I was proven wrong at Disney. My job is collaborative and I really enjoy reaching out and meeting people.”
Avalon’s long-term career plans are to become a licensed professional engineer at a large company in Atlanta, and earn an MBA. She cherishes her memories of ringing the chapel bell, attending football games, and hanging out on North Campus. She says that UGA taught her to “work hard, even when you doubt yourself.”
“I doubted that I could be an engineer, become a certified fitness instructor, or intern at Disney, but I’m here today,” she says. “Every time I doubt myself, UGA pushes me and says ‘yes you can,’ and it’s been a wonderful lesson.”