Some may think engineering and dancing don't mix.
But engineering students who hold leadership positions in the Ballroom Dance Club would argue otherwise.
Mechanical engineering student Jessica Purdum, who serves as the club's president, and chemical engineering student Nicole Labarge, the newly appointed salsa coordinator, have mastered the art of mixing business with pleasure each week in the form of engineering and dance.
Labarge, a first-year student at Penn State, says she is taking more general engineering classes and is still getting the hang of her course load. But she's busy with classes, ballroom dance, the basketball pep band and Science Lions.
"I went into college all excited about the different clubs, and I went to a couple meetings and signed up for a lot of listservs — but eventually I whittled it down to the couple that I am more excited about," she explained. And she seems to have no remorse about stacking up activities.
"It definitely helps to have an outlet, something other than just classes," she continued. "Even if it does take more time, then you're able to enjoy your time as a whole more."
In her fourth year and well-versed in handling engineering courses, Purdum says her major has helped her improve her time management as the ballroom dance president.
"You can't do well in the classes unless you know how to manage homework, studying and reading up, so that applies to ballroom dancing," she explained. "I can't do well as a president if I don't spend time doing other things for the club, too."
The club's webmaster, petroleum and natural gas engineering junior Ever Tapia-Vergara, also knows something about balancing dance with school. For him, his experience varies beyond that — he also designs websites, including the club's own page.
But Tapia-Vergara doesn't seem fazed by his busy schedule — he calmly compared his typical week to a 40-hour work week with an additional 30 hours of extra activities. He says it takes time to get used to balancing tasks.
"You have to figure out what's important and what isn't — you can't just throw yourself into a whole bunch of stuff and then let your schoolwork drift away, not in engineering," he explained.
It's no secret to these three students that engineering courses make it harder to balance activities, but Tapia-Vergara does not regret choosing an engineering-related major.
"This is just your first degree, you can get an infinite number of degrees," he explained. "You can go into sales, marketing, get an MBA, go to law school, [medical] school, you can do anything. But the reverse is not true — that’s why it's a good major."
Purdum says her experience with ballroom dance has given her more leadership and group learning experience than any of her college classes.
"I've learned more about how to socialize, interact with people and have good communications — it's a huge benefit for me as an engineer," she explained.
And in addition to being involved in clubs like ballroom dance, Tapia-Vergara thinks it's the leadership aspect that benefits students the most.
"Being a leader outside of the classroom, you learn how the world really works," he said.