Building connections: Scott’s journey from backyard projects to the Bay Area

Jacey Scott, a civil engineering student at Boise State, has been passionate about problem-solving since childhood.

"I have always been drawn to understanding how things work," Scott said. "Growing up, I spent a lot of time building projects with my dad; he showed me that you can build anything you put your mind to."

Early hands-on curiosity eventually led Scott to civil engineering, a field she was drawn to because of the direct, lasting impact infrastructure has on communities. Through her studies in the Department of Civil Engineering, she has since developed a particular interest in transportation engineering, the work that shapes safety, mobility and everyday life for millions of people.

This past year, that passion for engineering and community impact earned Scott a prestigious honor: the Simpson Strong-Tie Scholarship and an invitation to the company's competitive, week-long fellowship program in the Bay Area.

Applying for the award

Scott first learned about the scholarship through her boss and mentor Holly Eilers, who had won the same award years earlier and encouraged Scott to apply.

"It was a simple application, and after winning the Women's Transportation Seminar Southwest Idaho Chapter Scholarship earlier this year, I thought, 'Why not apply for another scholarship?'" Scott said.

When she found out she'd been selected, the news carried a double surprise. Not only had she won the scholarship, but she would also travel to the Bay Area to take part in Simpson Strong-Tie's fellowship experience.

Beyond the financial support, Scott said the recognition affirmed the work she had put into her education, internships and involvement outside the classroom. The fellowship offered a level of access to industry professionals she couldn't get in a classroom alone.

Building a foundation at Boise State

Scott credits Boise State's Civil Engineering program with preparing her to make the most of the fellowship. Coursework spanning structures, materials, geotechnical engineering, environmental engineering, transportation and construction gave her a broad foundation that helped her understand how Simpson Strong-Tie's products fit into the larger construction process.

"My coursework has also taught me how to approach engineering problems step-by-step and think about how design decisions translate into actual construction," Scott said. "Those skills helped me get more out of the technical discussions during the fellowship."

Outside the classroom, Scott has stayed active in the civil engineering community at Boise State. She has been a member of WICED (Women in Construction, Engineering and Development) for two years, and spent three years in Alpha Gamma Delta, where she served a term as Director of Leadership. She said these experiences have sharpened her communication, organization and leadership skills. Scott also gained hands-on, real-world experience through internships with Jacobs, an engineering group, where Scott worked alongside engineers and field personnel on infrastructure projects.

Hands-on engineering experience

During the fellowship, Scott and a select group of engineering students from across the country toured Simpson Strong-Tie manufacturing facilities, took part in hands-on activities, and met with company leadership and engineers.

"What stood out to me most was how much thought, testing, and engineering goes into products that can sometimes look relatively simple once they arrive on a job site," Scott said. "Seeing the manufacturing and engineering behind those products gave me a completely different perspective."

That shift was especially meaningful for a civil engineering student accustomed to seeing connectors, anchors and fasteners represented only as symbols on a drawing.

"It's easy to look at a connector, anchor or fastener on a drawing without thinking about everything that goes into producing and testing it," Scott said. "Seeing the process behind the products made me appreciate how important proper product selection, installation, testing and manufacturer requirements are to the overall performance of a structure."

Scott said the fellowship complemented what she has learned at Boise State. "Boise State has given me the technical knowledge to understand the engineering behind what I was seeing, while the fellowship showed me how those concepts are applied in industry," she said. "Having both perspectives has been extremely valuable."

What's next for Scott's career

Perhaps the most lasting impact of the fellowship wasn't a technical lesson at all, but the relationships Scott built along the way.

"Everyone came from different universities, backgrounds, and areas of engineering, which gave us the opportunity to learn from one another and hear different perspectives," Scott said. "By the ended of the fellowship, I felt like I had gained not only professional connections, but also friendships that I hope I maintain throughout my career."

Looking ahead, Scott has already taken her next step. She has accepted a full-time offer to join Jacobs next summer, continuing to build her career in transportation engineering. She hopes to eventually earn her Professional Engineer license and take on greater responsibility on projects that directly benefit communities.

Scott's advice for students: 'apply anyway'

For students considering similar opportunities, both at Boise State and through scholarships, Scott's advice is simple: apply anyway.

"Apply even if you are unsure whether you will be selected," Scott said. "I would also encourage students to be genuine in their applications and highlight the experiences that have shaped who they are rather than trying to write what they think the selection committee wants to hear. Scholarships and fellowships can provide much more than financial support; they can lead to mentorship, professional connections, friendships, and experiences that have a lasting impact on your career."

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