“I like living in an urban environment and I never thought I would. I enjoy the independence and freedom. It has allowed me to explore different parts of my personality through the experience.” – Alexa Bartel
Alexa Bartel grew up in Allentown, PA, and attended the University of Vermont where she earned a degree in Environmental Engineering with a minor in Pure Mathematics. Through UVM, she spent a semester studying abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland. While in college, she worked as an Engineering Camp Counselor, teaching coding basics and robotics. Alexa also devoted her time to volunteering with Village2Village, working with local engineers in Uganda to construct a filtered spring water well. Since graduating in 2016, she has worked as a Design Engineer with The Pidcock Company. In her free time, Alexa enjoys crafting, being in nature, and exploring new places. She is a part of the Northside cohort, and is serving at the Green Building Alliance.
Ally Carter: Tell me something you are learning about yourself through PULSE.
Alexa Bartel: I like living in an urban environment and I never thought I would. I enjoy the independence and freedom. It has allowed me to explore different parts of my personality through the experience.
Ally: What do you enjoy most about your nonprofit partnership?
Alexa: That I get to network with so many people in my field — engineering. It gives me the opportunity to be exposed to women engineers that I hadn’t gotten the opportunity to meet before.
Ally: What have you enjoyed most about living in community?
Alexa: There’s a built in family and friendships in community. It feels safe and comfortable. Living in the Northside, we live so close together. It’s super valuable because we have each other so close.
Ally: What surprised you most about Pittsburgh?
Alexa: How friendly people are. I’ve had so many surprising and interesting conversations with random people. There’s a norm in Pittsburgh where you can go up to someone and have a conversation. I’ve never lived in a place like that.
Ally: What is the best part of the PULSE experience?
Alexa: All of the opportunities to try new things and get involved with different service opportunities or the different speakers we hear from through PULSE. And, of course, all the people.
Story by PULSE Participant Ally Carter.
Read more Participant Stories from Fellows about their experience in PULSE. If you would like to learn more about the PULSE program, please visit our Serve with Us page.
Also, check out other Stories of Transformation: