A digital special section of | Subscribe


Carissa Walker

Carissa Walker

Flight test engineer | Boeing | Class of 2011

The setting for Carissa Walker’s idea of the perfect day: the engineering quad.

"That was where everything began," says the Boeing flight test engineer from the UI Class of 2011.

“I first visited UIUC through a Prospective Women Engineering Overnight, Engineering 101, hosted by Alpha Omega Epsilon. I saw various parts of engineering and campus life that weekend. Most of my college life was spent on the engineering campus, whether I was in the Talbot, Grainger or Engineering hall

“My favorite part were the moments I could spend on the engineering quad on a warm, sunny day. Being outside enjoying life with friends made it all worth it. It was a way to forget about all the homework and studying I needed to do.

"After all, it never hurts to enjoy the little things in life.”