Amy Lueking, a nontraditional engineering student, graduated this past fall with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Wichita State University.

Lueking received credit through WSU’s Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning while working for Professional Engineering Consultants.

Originally from a farm outside of Oxford, Neb., Lueking attended Southern Valley High School, and graduated in 2000. It was in 2006 that she decided to return to school after moving to Wichita.

“My total experience with the co-op program was awesome,” said Lueking. “That was probably the most practical experience that will carry over into my career.”

'A really good fit'

Lueking worked for PEC for about 3 and a half years as a drafting technician. After graduation, she was offered a full-time job with PEC as a civil engineer. She currently works in the civil transportation department and splits her design time between roads and bridges.

“It is really interesting,” said Lueking. “I love it and it’s a really good fit.”

Lueking took classes at WSU after catching up on her general education courses at Butler County Community College. Her favorite class at WSU was her senior design class that teamed up classmates to solve a common engineering design problem.

“Aside from the basic core concept classes, that was the best class that I had at Wichita State,” said Lueking. “Working on it as a team, we spent the entire semester with the design project.”

As part of the project, Lueking was the team leader, and in charge of communication, managing her teammates and managing the project.

“It was really good experience for me,” she said. “It was a lot of organizational practice that will be very helpful in my career.”

Returning adult student

For the future, Lueking leaves her options open. She will be earning different certifications as she goes along in her career but does not know if she’ll ever return to school.

“Amy is a very driven person with lots of ambition,” said Samantha Corcoran, assistant dean of the College of Engineering. “Coming back as a returning adult student shows that she not only has a willingness to succeed but that she has a vision for her life.”

Lueking sees her career at PEC evolving and has no plans of leaving the Wichita area anytime soon. While at PEC, she continues to work toward her professional engineering license.

“Overall, my experience as a nontraditional student, returning adult, was good,” said Lueking. “It was a lot of work and a huge sacrifice to finish school, and I definitely want to use it.”

For more information on the college of engineering or co-op visit; http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/academics/engineering/ or http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/offices/coop/.