Vanessa Villalobos

“One often meets there destiny on the path they lead to avoid it”

Vanessa Villalobos, a third-year Industrial and Systems Engineering student pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree at Virginia Tech, is a young woman with a 3.5 GPA and a passion for engineering. Hailing from Livingston, New Jersey, Vanessa finds herself drawn to the tight-knit community and abundant opportunities that being a Virginia Tech engineer offers. Vanessa has a strong sense of self, partly influenced by her role model, her mother, who instilled in her the values of independence and authenticity.

While she may be an aspiring engineer, Vanessa's interests extend far beyond the realm of academia. In her free time, she indulges in two primary hobbies: traveling and maintaining a rigorous workout routine. These pursuits serve as a testament to her adventurous spirit and her commitment to a healthy lifestyle.

Despite her engineering focus, Vanessa's childhood nostalgia shines through when asked about her favorite cartoon character, Tinker Bell, whom she adored from her early days watching Peter Pan. When it comes to music, she's a fan of pop, and her favorite film is "Grown Ups." However, it's her dreams and aspirations that truly set her apart. While in middle school, she aspired to be a family lawyer, advocating for children of divorce. Now, as a Virginia Tech student, her sights are set on a future in manufacturing processes, ideally within the cosmetics industry, ensuring machinery efficiently packages and secures goods.

Vanessa is actively engaged with her university community. She participates in various College of Engineering events related to her major, Industrial and Systems Engineering. Additionally, she dedicates her time to volunteering for the Big Event at Virginia Tech, embodying her commitment to giving back.

Despite her many achievements, Vanessa acknowledges her perfectionism as an aspect of herself she'd like to change. As she continues her journey at Virginia Tech and beyond, she's sure to make a lasting impact in both her field of study and the community around her, driven by her unwavering determination and the valuable lessons instilled by her role model, her mother.