Public Relations and Outreach

2020 - 2021

The Forge is a student-run makerspace at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute that is available to anyone on campus. It brings students of all majors and various backgrounds together which allowed me to talk to a lot of interesting individuals and learn about their projects. I spent most of my free time in The Forge either working with other students or helping out with the machines while constantly meeting people who I would never have crossed paths with elsewhere.

I joined the Forge as a general member during my freshman year before becoming a volunteer at the start of my sophomore year and finally working my way up to being an E-Board member by the beginning of my senior year. As a general member, I was eager to learn how to use all of the machines which included various FDM printers, an SLA printer, a laser cutter, a vinyl cutter, and a 3D scanner. I was so excited about using 3D printers that there were a couple instances where I intentionally over-engineered projects just to give myself a reason to print something. This issue was quickly resolved by becoming a volunteer. Once I became a volunteer, I underwent trainings for each of the machines which allowed me to get my fill of 3D printing by teaching others.

Because The Forge was new to campus, we didn't have club gear yet. Previous designs had all been rejected for being too boring and not popular enough among members, so I decided I would change that. I proposed a few ideas, talked to people to get more ideas and feedback, and created the image that we lovingly called "Vaporwave Val" after Madame President of the Forge, Valentina (shown to the right).

After designing our T-shirts, I was given the role of Public Relations and Outreach which would allow me to continue working on graphic designs for the club but also gave me the opportunity to share a passion for rapid prototyping with people. As an E-Board member, I was given the opportunity to help shape the organization that had introduced me to my love of creating.

By the time graduation rolled around, The Forge had become my favorite place on campus. If I wasn't in class, you could find me in The Forge. Nothing would be able to compare to the Forge and the people it brought together, but it's stuck with me as I have moved forward through graduate school and starting my job search.