Emme Wong ’23, a design and environmental analysis major, shares her thoughts on her time in Cornell Human Ecology and her advice for new students.

What’s one of your favorite memories (or favorite class or professor) from your time in Cornell Human Ecology?

One of my favorite memories has been working with Professor Jack Elliott in Arborworks, which are large tree sculpture installations. Spending time in the workshop, I learned a lot about the principles of design thinking, ecological storytelling and the magic of crafting things by hand. This experience opened my mind to a world of creative possibilities and inspired me to further study woodworking and furniture making. 

What surprised you most about CHE?

What surprised me most about Human Ecology was the breadth of coursework and learning opportunities I got to experience. For instance, I have gotten to take some fascinating and niche courses from medical parasitology to bike touring. I also had the opportunity to spend a semester designing and building chairs in Denmark — an experience full of surprising and unforgettable moments. As a first-year student, I would never have imagined these things would be a part of my design education, but now it is those diverse experiences and knowledge that I draw from most for inspiration. 

What will you be doing next?

I am very happy to say Ithaca and its community has become my home in the last few years. I will be joining a local architecture firm as a designer and builder. I get to spend all day designing spaces and honing my craft in the woodshop! I will also be continuing my journey as an outdoor educator.

Do you have any tips or words of wisdom for incoming first-year students?

Take initiative and try new things. The most rewarding experiences have come about because I took initiative to reach out or apply to exciting opportunities which I thought would never go through, but nonetheless some of them did and indeed changed my life! The worst that could happen is you get a no, which is negligible compared to the awesomeness that could result from a yes. You should also say yes to whatever comes your way and see what journey it takes you on. It is completely fine to take a class or join a club and realize it is not for you. But at least you tried!