10 Questions With… Jacob Olson, undergraduate in construction engineering management with a minor in business administration, and a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Olson is a recipient of the Oregon Tribal Student Grant through the Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
What drew you to Oregon State University originally?
The biggest draw for me was its location. I grew up about 50 miles northwest of Corvallis and have always lived in this general region. After high school I went into the workforce, which deepened my ties to the area; then I went to Linn-Benton Community College and dually enrolled at Oregon State my final year. Transferring here felt like the most natural move, and it allowed me to stay close to my family and friends while progressing my education.
How does your identity as a Native person impact your life’s path and how you approach building your future?
Being Native is part of who I am. I grew up close to the reservation and have worked for different entities the tribe owns. The Tribe has offered a lot of opportunities for myself and my family, making my education possible. Having cultural knowledge and understanding of what so many of my ancestors went through has helped shape the person I am today. My ultimate goal is to be able to share my education, knowledge and experience, to help contribute to our tribal and cultural success.
What makes you passionate about higher education?
The ability to have a place where I can make mistakes and learn about the construction industry has been monumental in developing the areas that interest me most. As I continue to learn about the industry, I can’t help but think about how technology and research will continue to develop, and how the construction industry will change over time. I’ve focused my classes on an area of interest, which has helped me stay focused and makes even the challenges enjoyable.
Why did you choose civil engineering in particular?
I chose to major in construction engineering management because it’s an industry that shaped so much of my childhood. Both of my grandfathers worked in the construction industry and some of my earliest memories were walking around jobsites with a clipboard pretending that I was the “inspector”. It’s always just been an area of fascination, and an area that I have always wanted to make a difference in. I was recently accepted into OSU’s accelerated masters platform, where I can start working towards a graduate degree in civil engineering. I chose this major because it will allow me to continue to explore the construction industry and research ways of making the industry more efficient.
How has receiving the Oregon Tribal Student Grant helped you on your path toward graduation?
Without the support from my tribe and the Oregon Tribal Student Grant, I likely wouldn’t have been able to continue college past my first year due to the significant change in income after leaving the industry I worked in. Even though I lived on my own for several years prior, I was still considered a dependent student at first for financial aid, making me ineligible for any assistance. During my first year, my father was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, and I was unable to work part time, as I was helping take care of him. I burned through my savings rapidly and it made me question if I made the right decision to go back to school.
Oregon made the grant available for the start of my second year and it has been a gamechanger for me financially. It also came during one of the most emotionally challenging times of my life. In March of that year, and on the Friday before finals week, my father’s battle with brain cancer came to an end. With the absence of my father, Oregon Tribal Student Grant has given me financial security, allowing me to fully focus on my education without the constant concern of wondering how I was going to pay essential bills.
What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?
If I could go back and give myself advice, it would be to just be myself and not be afraid of the life challenges that are ahead.
What has been your favorite course in college?
It’s hard to pinpoint a single class. During my first term I took Contemporary Families in the U.S. for a baccore requirement, and the class was really eye-opening to me. Growing up in a small town I didn’t really understand how perceived differences and inequalities interacted with families. This class really changed my outlook on society and made me a much more understanding person.
Do you have any mentors, either at the university or within your family, that have made a big impact on your life?
My father was always the person I looked up to, he was my number one supporter and mentor. Since he passed away a couple of years ago, there’s definitely been a gap in that area of my life. Since transferring here, I’ve definitely found people to help guide me through the challenges that go along with my education. Jeffrey Knowles, who I took statics with last year, has always been willing to help and gives me advice when I’m struggling with any of my classes. He’s been a great resource.
What are your plans after graduation?
It’s somewhat dependent on whether I decide to continue my education and pursue a Ph.D in civil engineering. It’ll be a decision I’ll have to make in a couple of years. With having Oregon Tribal Student Grant, it’s hard for me to turn down further education opportunities, as I don’t know when the opportunity would present itself again. Overall, my current goal is to work for an established general contractor as a project manager, where I can continue to build on my industry knowledge
What is your favorite non-academic pursuit or passion?
Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling and exploring different parts of the United States. Eventually I would like to travel internationally, but there’s still so many places that I haven’t visited here. I also enjoy spending time with my family and try not to take the time I have with them for granted.
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