Dominic Tran, a third-year structural engineering student at UC San Diego, has been awarded the 2024-2025 Robert B. B. Moorman and Josephine N. Moorman Scholarship from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the 2024-2025 Simpson Strong-Tie Student Scholarship. We sat down with Tran, who is an IDEA Scholar, to discuss how these scholarships have impacted his journey, his goals, and his advice for fellow students.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to pursue structural engineering?
Tran: I’m originally from Los Angeles, and I’ve always been interested in engineering. Growing up, I enjoyed building towers with Jenga blocks, dominoes, or anything I could get my hands on. In high school, I took engineering classes, but my exposure to CAD software dates as far back as middle school where I used SketchUp for the framework of my dream house. What drew me to structural engineering was the idea of working on a massive structure that I could tour with friends and family and see standing for years to come. The ability to make a lasting impact on thousands of people through my work is what really sold it for me.
Q: Congratulations on receiving the ASCE and Simpson Strong-Tie scholarships! What do these awards mean to you?
Tran: Thank you! These scholarships mean a lot to me. They show that the work I’ve put in is being recognized and that people are supporting me as I work toward becoming a professional engineer. They also provide a lot of financial relief, which is a huge help given the cost of tuition and living expenses. They allow me to put more time into my classes and projects, and it makes a big difference.
Q: How did you find out about these scholarships, and what was the application process like?
Tran: I’ve been applying for scholarships since my first year at UC San Diego. Through the IDEA Scholars program, I learned how to write personal statements and how to approach scholarship applications. The ASCE scholarship was one I found as I researched what structural engineering organizations offered scholarships. The application process wasn’t too difficult because I already had experience writing essays from previous applications. I was also able to modify my previous work and adapt it to the ASCE application, which made it easier.
Q: What advice would you give to other students who are thinking about applying for
scholarships?
Tran: The first scholarship application will be the hardest, but it gets much easier with each one you submit. Answering the questions may also help you learn more about yourself which is useful for interviews or any statement of purpose. I highly recommend underclassmen start as soon as possible, so their answers will be thoroughly developed later on. When writing your essay, start by answering the questions like a checklist. Be as clear as possible. Show you know what you want to do in life, backed by examples of steps taken towards your goals. Demonstrate that you are a good investment. I recommend looking into local organizations like the ASCE San Diego chapter because there will be less competition.
Q: You've been doing research under Professor Georgios Tsampras. Can you tell us how you got involved and how it’s influenced your future plans?
Tran: Initially, I was not interested in research because I thought it was just about writing papers and literature reviews. But I was encouraged to give it a try, and I’m happy I did. Last year, I got to work on preliminary experimental research studies of a 3D-printed friction damper which is the first step towards my master's thesis. It took a while to find a topic I was interested in, but having started my research experience early, opened the door to obtaining my master's degree through the thesis route while still graduating on time.
Q: What are some hobbies you enjoy when you have some free time to yourself?
Tran: I’m heavily involved in the Society of Civil and Structural Engineers. There are a lot of cool project teams where you can have fun doing something hands-on. For example, in Steel Bridge, you get to learn how to weld and use power tools to fabricate an entire 20-ft bridge from scratch. Participating in these teams has also allowed me to meet a lot of my friends. Outside of engineering activities, I like to occasionally play badminton or sing along to music. I really enjoy going for a walk and just chatting with friends.
Q: Where do you see yourself five years from now, and how do you hope to contribute tothe field of structural engineering?
Tran: Five years from now, I see myself working in the industry with my P.E. license as a structural engineer. I am hoping to contribute toward designing safer, more resilient structures that can withstand earthquakes. This will maximize the impact I have on society while also making the design and analysis process more interesting. Since talking to professionals and other students, I’ve started to think about the many different possibilities, such as design, analysis, forensics, or bridges. I hope to find what’s right for me during my internship.