Timothy Chung

I chose to attend UMD because of its strong reputation in engineering, especially within civil and environmental engineering. The Clark School immediately stood out to me with its incredibleresources, hands-on learning opportunities, and a supportive community committed to helping students succeed. As a Clark Foundation Scholarship recipient, I also felt that the school genuinely invested in my growth as both a student and an emerging engineer. On top of that, UMD’s proximity to Washington, D.C. provides valuable access to internships, networking, and exposure to real-world engineering challenges, making it the perfect fit for my academic and career goals.

 

My best experience so far has been my ENES100 Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV) project. As the team lead, I worked closely with my group to design, build, and program an AGV capable of navigating obstacles and completing assigned tasks. Managing the hardware setup, wiring, and integration with the software gave me a deeper appreciation for the engineering design process and taught me the importance of collaboration, communication, and adaptability.

 

ENCE202: Engineering Drawings and Design for Civil and Environmental Engineers

 

ENGL101: Academic Writing

 

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
College Park Scholars: Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
CMSE Technical & Leadership Preparedness (TLP) Program

 

My favorite on-campus event so far has been the First Look Fair. With hundreds of student organizations lined up across McKeldin Mall, it was exciting to explore different communities, meet new people, and get a sense of all the opportunities UMD offers.

 

While I haven't had the chance to study abroad yet, I'm actively looking for research opportunities and hope to get involved with projects related to sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and water treatment in the future.

 

My ENES100 AGV project was one of the highlights of my freshman year. Being part of a fast-paced design and build environment taught me how to troubleshoot, iterate quickly, and think creatively under pressure. I truly believe it was a pivotal experience that strengthened my interest in engineering problem-solving.