Student Spotlight: Kasey Weaver

Eighteen-year-old Kasey Weaver has aspired to be an engineer since she was in eighth grade, when her high school in Birmingham, Ala., invited her to join its engineering academy for her freshman and sophomore years.

“I’m good at math and science and I like the idea of creating things,” says Weaver.

When she and her family moved in 2012 to Sarasota, Weaver enrolled in Riverview High School’s internship program to gain more experience in her chosen field.

In October, Weaver began an internship at Stantec, an engineering firm based in Canada with a location in Sarasota. She says the internship has made her even more interested in becoming an engineer.

“I’m glad I did it,” she says. “This has confirmed my choice.”

Weaver says her mentor at Stantec, Project Manager Kelly Blake, has taught her things experienced engineers know, such as how to fold plans and that clear communication is key.

“These are things they expect you to know when you graduate that you’re not necessarily taught,” Weaver says.

Weaver is still planning her academic future and says she can’t say for sure what’s next for her, but she might work at Stantec over the summer.

Weaver says her favorite aspect of engineering is being able to create things through mathematics, science and creativity.

“I love that I am creating stuff with math and my own creativity,” she says. “I get to enjoy what I’m doing.”

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]