Gonzalo Alcontar
Garden City, KS
Industrial engineering major, business and statistics minor
Gonzalo Alcontar wanted to fully immerse himself in his K-State journey through involvement and leadership. What he found were endless opportunities to let his passions drive his college path and gain experiences that would shape his future career in industrial engineering.
How he chose K-State:
An admissions representative at my high school told me about Multicultural Academic Program Success (MAPS), a summer bridge program for multicultural students. It launched me into K-State because no one else does it like K-State for engineering and no one else offers this type of help for multicultural students.
Why his degree is his passion:
Industrial engineers make things better. I really want to learn how to make things, but I also want to know why I’m making them, for who and the type of impact it’s going to make.
Why he loves being involved:
I’m involved at K-State because I want to give back to the community. That’s how you meet new people, and it’s why I am in H.A.L.O., SHPE, ELI program and the Cargill program. I’m also a residential learning assistant because that helps me be better. I’ve gained a lot of leadership skills being in those clubs.
Biggest K-State benefit:
I have all these things I can now put on my resume. Experience is very valued and that’s what employers look for: experience and what sets you apart. Getting out there will help you find that passion you hold and that maybe you didn’t know that you had.
Advice for new Wildcats:
I think the best thing you can do when you get here is to get out of your comfort zone. That’s how you meet new friends, get opportunities and do stuff you never thought you’d do before. I never thought I would hold all these roles that I do on campus. It’s something I am proud of and continuously learn from year to year.
Involvement:
H.A.L.O. Hispanic American Leadership Organization
SHPE Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
ELI Engineering Leadership and Innovation Program