Colton Hicks (left) enjoys an alumni award event in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences with other students.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University engineering student Colton Hicks is figuring out the type of engineer he hopes to become—broadening his own skillset through the expertise of others and approaching projects with an open mind. “I love how there are no right answers, only better answers; in the real world you can design anything hundreds of ways and it allows you to have so much freedom with your work,” says Hicks.
This summer, Hicks is completing his third internship. Each of these new jobs has influenced his future path. These experiences at Consumers Energy, Graphic Packaging International plus a summer job at Stryker have taught him many things. “My first job out of high school was in powder coating. I remember wishing the engineers would have asked us what we thought of a problem before they put in a solution.”
At Western, Hicks’ greatest influences have been the people around him that never tell him he can’t do something, including Dr. Said Abubakr, professor of chemical and paper engineering. It’s one reason he chose a double major: chemical engineering and biochemistry.
“I didn't expect to fit in so well with my degree. I started as a chemical engineering major but also realized I wanted to pursue research-based chemistry. Dr. Abubakr encouraged me to pursue a double major and talked to me about all the doors that combination would open for me.”
Hicks’ pursuits are also rooted in his childhood where he spent his teen years doing farm work. “My dad is in the trades and raised me as a future millwright. Because of this, I knew engineering was my path.”
But it was a high school class that piqued his interest in chemistry. “My high school AP chemistry teacher made me realize my love for chemistry. He made it a fun subject that made sense.”
At Western, Hicks continues to surround himself with opportunities. “I know many professors well, and it is always a pleasure to work with them,” explains Hicks. “In my intro to Chemical Engineering class, Dr. Abubakr could see me struggling and told me start figuring out why I thought my approach would have worked and learn from my mistakes. This idea is shared with many of the professors.”
In addition to Abukar, Hicks’ professors have a lasting impact on him and encompass many areas of Western.
One of those influences is Dr. Jon Davis, professor of math: Davis "has a very different approach to teaching that I have integrated into my tutoring and studying. We had learning groups and were given the start and end of formulas and had to figure out the middle of the problem or formula. After each group came up with their own way, we would have a class discussion about our methods, and he would critique them. This helps more than any other studying technique I have ever done.
Another influential professor is Dr. Asghar Kayani, chair and professor of physics and director and the WMU Particle Accelerator Lab. “Almost every day after class I had questions from his lecture and I would go up and ask him, or I would show up to his office hours to talk about how I was trying to wrap my head around the magic he calls physics. I have never struggled more in a class but never wanted to learn more because of it.”
Hicks is also a member of three student organizations. As treasurer of the Chem Club during his first year, Hicks found a group that was incredibly fun, “and we always do the nerdiest things that make everyone excited. One time played musical chairs with an iodine clock.”
Now, as incoming president of WMU’s chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Hicks plans to add more professional networking opportunities and continue adding more fun. With a group of friends, he also launched the WMU Chem E Car group, open to all WMU students.
With an interest in ensuring water is safe and readily available, Hicks can envision a career in water treatment. He also has a desire to combine his love of physics and chemistry in the nuclear engineering field, as well as explore the genetic modification field. “Genetic modification is the coolest and closest thing to science fiction humans have ever done,” says Hicks. “I haven't fully decided which direction to take, which is why I am interning all over doing as many kinds of engineering as I can to make sure I know what I am committing to before I take an amazing job to hopefully change the world.”
To learn more about Hicks’ surroundings, follow him on LinkedIn.
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