As a first-generation college student, ETSU senior Luis Mora was uncertain if college was the right path for him. Today, as a double major in construction engineering technology and surveying, he said he looks forward to providing not only for himself, but also his family and to the day when he opens his own business.
“College has given me the opportunity to plan my parents’ retirement, plan my retirement
and, hopefully, plan my kid’s future,” said Mora, who chose ETSU’s construction engineering technology major because of his family’s history in the construction business. “I was unsure
but I knew if I was going to give college a try, it was going to be in the most welcoming
environment. Out of all the universities I applied to, ETSU was the most welcoming.
So, I figured, ‘hey, let’s give it a try and see how it goes.’”
Discovering Surveying
Following three years as a construction engineering technology major, Luis was encouraged
by ETSU assistant professor Jared Wilson to take a related course in land surveying.
“I had already enjoyed my first three years, then I took a land surveying class. Professor
Wilson was very welcoming, one of the very best I’ve ever met, and he encouraged me
to seek a double major. So, I did and it’s been one the best experiences I’ve ever
had.”
While Mora credits his family’s strong work ethic for providing him with a solid foundation
for his successes, he said finding the niche in his chosen profession is thanks to
his ETSU experience.
“Coming from a family that’s hardworking and dedicated has helped me become a better
student because it makes me want to be the best that I can possibly be,” he said.
“It helps me achieve my grades, and makes me want to be one of the top students,”
something Luis said he achieved by learning not to fear the need for help when something
requires a little more understanding to achieve a maximum result.
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned at ETSU is how to ask questions,” said
Mora. “Don't be afraid to ask for help! I was always afraid to ask because I didn’t
want to be the only person to raise their hand in class. Being part of the surveying
program has helped me learn that there’s always someone to answer your questions.
Many people are in the position they are currently in because they reached out to
their local colleges and professional associations. With that, being a part of ETSU
and these programs has taught me that hard work and dedication does pay off. ETSU
wants to see you succeed and the professors in these programs will do everything they
can for you.”
One of the things about the surveying program Mora said he has enjoyed most are the
mock labs that allow hands-on experiences using field technology.
“As a surveying student, you get to work with all the equipment you’ll get to use
in the real world,” noted Mora. “The professors are great about setting up labs where
you perform real world scenarios in the classroom, including being able to identify
any problems that might come up during your lab work, then being able to identify
what happened. It’s very much like a real-life scenario; understanding what went wrong
and how you can fix it.”
As a senior already gaining experience outside the classroom by working locally in
his field of study, Mora said as his time at ETSU comes to an end he looks forward
to what is next.
“I’m looking forward to taking all the techniques and lessons that I’ve learned here,
and not only using it in the real world to get a job but eventually to open my own
company in surveying and the construction industry,” he said. “ETSU has not only taught
me about surveying, but how to believe in myself by showing me that I can do things
on my own. That’s really helped in shaping into the person that I am today.