Kate Konsewicz

Kate came to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undecided to better explore the world of STEM before choosing a major. Now, she’s a junior in chemical engineering, navigating college life amid a pandemic. We sat down with Kate to discuss her passion for her major, what in-person classes have been like during COVID-19, and her hopes for senior year and beyond.

Why did you choose UIUC?

“I never wanted to go to school in Illinois. I wanted to go somewhere far away to get this really cool adventure, great experience, and everything. But I ended up just coming here. It wasn’t even after I visited. I was just like, ‘I guess I’ll go to Illinois. It’s close, and they seem like they have good programs outcome-wise.’

“Coming here confirmed my decision. It was a great choice because I originally came in undecided for school. Illinois has so many well-known programs that I felt comfortable transferring into whichever field I wanted to. And I knew I wanted to be in a STEM field.”

How did you discover your passion for chemical engineering?

“I’ve always loved STEM; I was kind of a nerd. I love chemistry and math and physics and all of those subjects. I just like learning about how things are made and everything. The classes here, like general chemistry, a lot of people say, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s so hard.’ But it’s interesting. So I wanted to do better in those classes. …

“The friends I met, they influenced me looking into the field. And the classes I took for chemical engineering here, I really loved my professor. He was super engaging and would apply things to the real world when we were in class. I was like, ‘Okay, I could see myself taking what I’m learning and applying it to something useful.’”

To that end, what do you hope to do after graduation?

“That’s still up in the air. … Chemical engineering industries are kind of broken up, very broadly defined. I’ve learned about oil in my classes, and energy is cool too, but I really like the medical side—helping others, doing consumer products and everything. I’m hoping to do something with pharmaceuticals and making new drugs, something medicine-wise. Or maybe something completely different.”

What else have you been involved with during your time at UIUC?

“Besides being a tour guide, I’m in Chemistry R.E.A.C.T., which is Reaching and Educating America’s Chemists of Tomorrow. I did that for honors credit, because I’m also an honors student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I’m also in Illini Service Dogs.

“I was a volunteer at Carle Hospital, but because of COVID, I decided not to do that this semester. I used to volunteer on the oncology force, because I was also considering pre-medical fields, but not anymore. So then I just did it for fun.”

And how have you grown during your time at UIUC?

“I think I’ve grown a lot personally in the sense that I feel a lot more comfortable introducing myself to other people and putting myself out there, whether it’s with professors or with friends. When I was a freshman, I was super anxious to meet people, and when I would go sit in class, I wouldn’t talk to the person next to me, because I was like, ‘Oh my god, they’re gonna think I’m so weird!’

“I thought everyone would be judging me, but I’ve learned that nobody cares—not in a bad way, but in a good way. People care about me, but nobody cares about stupid things like what you’re wearing to class or anything. You can do your own thing. Nobody cares if you get the question wrong. If you participate, you’re not going to look stupid.”

You’re currently a junior. What do you hope your senior year looks like?

“I obviously would really love for classes to be in person so I could still engage with my friends here, since I don’t know if I’ll see them outside of college. It would be very nice to have those in-person classes. But if things get worse, safety is the priority, so I totally understand that.

“If we’re set up like now, with the hybrid classes and still being able to get tested, I’m okay with that. I’m really grateful that I’ve been able to engage so much in person and still be on campus and get the reassuring tests knowing that I’m still healthy.”