Courtesy of Abigayle Welch

Abigayle Welch is currently working on her mechanical engineering degree and masters in biomedical engineering

After graduating from LCM in 2024, Abigayle Welch has been busy pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at Lamar University. 

Mechanical engineers work on everything from tiny components, such as medical devices, to large systems, such as power plants and aircraft. 

While at LCM, Welch took engineering as her endorsement and later grew fond of it. 

 “I knew I liked projects and problem solving in engineering, so I decided it was better to try it than always wonder, what if,” Welch said. “I honestly expected that I might switch majors at some point, but the more classes I took, the more I realized I truly enjoyed it.” 

A typical week for Welch isn’t very different from a high school week, except for a lot more studying. 

”I look ahead for any upcoming tests,” Welch said. “I get homework done, then study for tests. That part is a boring one. The fun stuff is when the clubs I’m in have meetings or social events; they usually occur once every week.” 

One piece of advice Welch would have given herself her senior year of high school is to not be so afraid of the unknown. 

“I spent a lot of time worrying about choosing the right major or having it perfectly mapped out,” Welch said. “The challenges, the adjustments, and even the doubts all serve a purpose. You grow through them, and in the end, you become more confident, capable, and closer to God than you ever expected.” 

Welch’s transition from high school to college was exciting, but also uncomfortable. 

“Looking back, I think the biggest lesson I learned was how to be okay with that discomfort,” Welch said. “There were moments when I questioned whether I was fully prepared, especially academically. But over time, I realized that feeling stretched didn’t mean I didn’t belong. It meant I was growing up. College pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way.” 

While Welch enjoys her major, she said the transition from high school to college was not always easy. 

”I quickly realized I had to study more than I expected,” Welch said. “Even though I thought I would have more free time without extracurriculars, I actually found that I had less. Another difficult thing was having the same community of people I had grown up with. We all went off to different colleges, and that separation was hard. However, you meet new people and form new friendships, and when you see your old friends again, you treasure those moments even more.” 

Her favorite part about her major is problem solving and being able to work through a puzzle. 

“I like to figure out why things work the way they do, how the pieces fit together,” Welch said. “The process pushes me to think in new ways and stay patient when the answer isn’t immediately clear. Once everything clicks, it’s rewarding.” 

Welch is involved in four major organizations: the Lamar University Biomedical Engineering Club, the Collegiate Branch of Interact, the Honors Student Association, and the Society of Women Engineers. 

“The best way to get involved in college is simply to show up,” Welch said. “That’s how it started for me. I attended meetings, met new people, and before long, I didn’t want to leave. 

Welch is also involved in research in Physics Education.

“This opportunity came from just being open to trying something new,” Welch said. “A professor approached me about getting involved, and I decided to go for it. Since then, I’ve earned a grant and even had the opportunity to present my research in Las Vegas. It’s amazing what can happen when you put yourself out there and say yes to new opportunities.” 

While Welch is involved in so many things, she can balance it because of God and time management. 

“You can’t procrastinate, which is so hard,” Welch said. “However, when you don’t put things off, you can do many more valuable things with your time. And, by God’s grace, I’m able to do it.” 

Welch said she is considering pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. 

 “I would love to make a difference in people’s lives and doing it through engineering,” Welch said. “Right now, I’m just trusting God to guide my future.”