Houghton, Michigan. The home for Michigan Tech—ranked safest public college in Michigan. For most Huskies, it's a long way from home (an 8-10 hour drive, on average). But
once they get here, they learn that this place is also far from ordinary. Houghton
becomes a home away from home—and with their classmates, they find a second family.
Meet some of our current students to see what this community means to them—and what
it could mean to you, too.
Meet Sophie Owen
Electrical Engineering | Saint Johns, Michigan
Why did you choose Michigan Tech over closer schools?
I chose Michigan Tech because I absolutely love the surrounding area! I love being
able to drive 5 minutes and go hiking or exploring. The Career Fair at Michigan Tech
is a great opportunity to find a full-time position or internship. You can also network
with companies there.
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Sophie OwenSaint Johns, Michigan
How did you make friends at Michigan Tech?
Most of the friends I made at Michigan Tech were made through my Orientation week
group. I also meet new friends every year through Society of Women Engineers, which
is a student organization I am part of.
If you don’t like the outdoors, what else is there to do around campus and in the
Houghton area?
Houghton has a really great downtown where you can walk around and go shopping at
the small businesses. The Rosza Center always has events going on like plays and concerts
that are fun to attend.
What is there to do in the winter? Is there anything snow-related you love to do?
If not, what else do people do who don't love snow?
Winter at Tech is great for people who love snow sports! I go skiing at Mont Ripley
often (students get free entrance through the Experience Tech fee). I also really
love to go snowshoeing/hiking at the Tech Trails or the Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock.
If you don't like the snow as much you can volunteer at the Husky Food Pantry or join
a club, like SWE, that holds movie nights and game nights.
What is it like living in the residence halls?
I really enjoyed living in Wadsworth Hall because everything is very close by (campus
buildings, the dining hall, the Cafe). My roommate and I would always hang out in
the Wads Annex after classes were done and do homework or play games.
Why did you choose Michigan Tech over closer schools?
I chose Michigan Tech because I absolutely love the surrounding area! I love being
able to drive 5 minutes and go hiking or exploring.
What makes Michigan Tech special?
The Career Fair at Michigan Tech is a great opportunity to find a full-time position
or internship. You can also network with companies there.
How did you find research, an internship, a co-op, or a job after college?
Career Fair is what helped me find both of my internships. It is important to try
to attend other events during career fair week so the recruiters get familiar with
your face and will recognize you at the actual career fair. Attending Evening With
Industry the night before career fair helped the recruiters at the companies I was
interested recognize me and offer me an interview.
What is there to do on the weekends? Are their people still around campus?
I always look forward to the weekends because that's the time to get outside and explore.
I love going hiking and looking for waterfalls around the Keweenaw. Of course, the
weekends are a really good time to catch up on homework and watch lectures you've
missed. The library is open on the weekends so you can study.
How did you find your roommate?
I used the roommate matching program. My roommate and I had never met before but we
got along really well and are still friends to this day!
Meet Caleb Kaminski
Geological Engineering | Manistee, Michigan
Why did you choose Michigan Tech over closer schools?
Michigan Tech boasts a certain higher degree of learning, something I was searching
for. The location also fit my love for the great outdoors. It has become the best
of both worlds!
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Caleb KaminskiManistee, Michigan
How did you make friends at Michigan Tech?
I made friends in the Tech dorms by socializing and doing various activities with
my dorm hallmates. Also, creating small study groups with classmates is a great way
to spark new connections.
If you don’t like the outdoors, what else is there to do around campus and in the
Houghton area?
There are many indoor opportunities for fun. The SDC offers many different physical
sport activities and there are cool hangout areas like the Wadsworth Café.
What is there to do in the winter? Is there anything snow-related you love to do?
If not, what else do people do who don't love snow?
Skiing and hockey are big in the winter here. I personally enjoy snow shoeing and
winter camping. The local area is excellent for these activities.
What is it like living in the residence halls?
Living in the residence halls are a ton of fun. They offer a great place to new life
skills, meet new friends, and discover new hobbies!
Why did you choose Michigan Tech over closer schools?
Michigan Tech boasts a certain higher degree of learning, something I was searching
for. The location also fit my love for the great outdoors. It has become the best
of both worlds!
How did you find research, an internship, a co-op, or a job after college?
I was able to find a work study job by seeing a job post from my departmental chair.
I also was able to find research through faculty after introducing myself during class
time periods.
How did you find your roommate?
I was able to find my roommate through the online software that Tech uses to pair
roommates. The program lists interests so you can figure out if the roommate aligns
with your interests as well.
Meet Morgan Smith
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Biology Focus | Weidman, Michigan
How did you make friends at Michigan Tech?
I made a lot of friends from my dorm hall! I also made friends in my classes and in
the extracurriculars I got into.
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Morgan SmithWeidman, Michigan
How did you make friends at Michigan Tech?
I made a lot of friends from my dorm hall! I also made friends in my classes and in
the extracurriculars I got into.
If you don’t like the outdoors, what else is there to do around campus and in the
Houghton area?
There are always a bunch of fun on campus events happening! My personal favorite has
always been the "Bad art nights" where you can compete with friends (and friends you've
made there!) for the funniest, wackiest work of art.
What is there to do in the winter? Is there anything snow-related you love to do?
If not, what else do people do who don't love snow?
I love tubing on Mont Ripley! I'm not too big of a fan of downhill skiing, but tubing
is a blast. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also fun. And you can't forget
broomball! Even if you don't play, it's fun to watch your friends wipe out while sipping
hot cocoa (it's free) on the sidelines.
What is it like living in the residence halls?
It's a big shift if you aren't used to sharing a space with someone, but it's manageable.
It's always chaotic but in a really good way.
Why did you choose Michigan Tech over closer schools?
MTU was somewhat of a dream school for me: it has a strong program in what I'm interested
in, I love the setting, and it just felt right. I was lucky to get a lot of financial
aid, so that really sealed the deal for me. The distance has never stopped me from
wanting to be at Tech; my parents love to visit and I get to see them over the smaller
breaks (like thanksgiving, because we get a whole week off). Don't get me wrong, no
one likes the drive, but I think it's worth it.
How did you find research, an internship, a co-op, or a job after college?
I heard a lot of things by word of mouth. People up here like to help each other.
I got a job as a tour guide, an undergraduate TA, an OTL, and an ExSEL mentor because
I heard about the applications from friends and how each position would be a good
fit for me. I also have been involved with on campus research since I came to campus
because the professor running the lab and I had a really good conversation and I was
offered a job. We don't always feel super connected, but the community and mindset
of the students here is really one of support.
What is there to do on the weekends? Are their people still around campus?
Weekends are a great time to go and explore the Keweenaw area! Even if you don't have
a car, there are clubs that go and see the sights and they always offer rides. If
exploring isn't for you, though, there are always cool events on weekends. Your experience
tech fee gets you in to plays, productions, and different fun events on campus. There
are always people on and around campus, and there is always something fun to do!
How did you find your roommate?
We met on the roommate matching website. It's kinda like dating but finding a roommate
instead. We had a lot of shared interests and after talking to each other we decided
we wanted to room together. She's become my closest friend up here and I have loved
every minute of it!
How did you make friends at Michigan Tech?
I was a transfer student and I sat at a table [during orientation] with other transfer
students for the geology department, who were also female. We all hit it off and three
years later we continue to be best friends.
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Is there anything winter or snow-related you love to do?
I absolutely love the amount of hockey rinks at local parks in the surrounding area.
Its something that we don't have back home and introduced me to playing hockey with
friends/ learned to skate.
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Tom D.Electrical Engineering