Marco Guzmán: Discovering a Knack for Leadership
Senior Marco Guzmán has been involved in leadership activities since he started CAEE.
As a lifelong Longhorn fan, Marco Guzmán hoped that he would someday be a student at the University of Texas at Austin. One of five children and also a twin, Guzmán attended K-12 in Austin and lived in the same house until he left for college. After two years at Texas Tech University, he applied to the Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Department and was accepted in 2005. He has been involved with leadership activities and making a difference in others’ lives, ever since.
“I always knew I would end up at UT Austin—what I didn’t know is that I would follow in my father and brother’s footsteps," Guzmán says. “My father, Crespin Guzmán, graduated from the CAEE department in 1971, followed by my brother, Jaime Guzmán, in 2000. I always looked up to them and really respected who they were as people, and I still do to this day. I consider myself lucky to have two incredible role models to learn from. I saw their love for life and how they enjoyed their work. I think I just made the connection between that and their choice to become civil engineers. It also didn’t hurt that the engineering program was one of the top ranked in the nation."
Guzmán is a civil engineering major with an area of focus in water resources and hydraulic design. Since arriving to UT, he has also worked part-time, spending one year with the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department’s Engineering Division and two years with the design firm of Klotz Associates. Additionally, he has been heavily involved in engineering student organizations as an active member of Pi Sigma Pi and the Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
Guzmán’s biggest contribution came when he served as the ASCE President (2007-2008) and as ASCE Corporate Relations Officer (2006-2007). When asked why he chose to get involved outside of the classroom, he says, “I wanted to make a difference in others’ lives. I think most people like to have their life made a little easier and a little more enjoyable, and, if I could help with either of those, then I’d feel good. I also knew I would be spending a lot of time at school over the next few years, and I wanted to make sure I had a voice. I wanted to work with the department and make sure our time [as students] was enjoyable."
“Another good reason for my wanting to get involved," says Guzmán, “was because I like a challenge. And believe me, running an organization as big as ASCE and making sure we did it right and ran it well was definitely a challenge. The success of the organization was due in part to the amazing group of dedicated officers who are my fellow students and friends."
The ASCE student chapter visits schools to encourage interest in engineering.
The student chapter of ASCE is one of the most community-involved chapters in the engineering school and on the entire campus, so having a leadership role is no small feat. This student chapter works with Habitat for Humanity, creates hands-on demonstrations for Explore UT, visits elementary schools to encourage interest in science and engineering, and participates in many other worthwhile activities on and off campus.
The ASCE chapter also organized three annual trips to New Orleans to assist in the reconstruction of the city, which trips have been a learning experience like no other. Students witnessed the damage first-hand, gutted destroyed homes, and worked on the construction of new ones for Habitat’s Musician’s Village in the Upper Ninth Ward.
Guzmán’s high level of involvement in activities outside of school is particularly commendable since the CAEE curriculum is quite challenging. But, that’s one of the things he likes about the department.
"Oddly enough," he says, “I like the fact that they push us extremely hard. I know they are trying to get the most out of us. You should always test yourself to see what you can handle and I think the department understands that. I really believe the department does a great job of getting us fully prepared for the real world."
Advice for incoming students?
Guzmán served as ASCE President and helped organize two annual trips to New Orleans to assist in post-Katrina clean up and reconstruction.
“Work hard, there is no way around it. There are no secrets or shortcuts to success—it takes dedication and commitment that other people may not always see. Never forget how lucky you are to be getting the education you are about to receive—we are a privileged few. Take advantage of what CAEE has to offer and above all, have fun."
“College is a time for growing up, meeting new people and learning a lot about who you really are," he adds. “Don’t be scared to put yourself out there—get involved in something! It might be awkward not knowing anyone at first, but I promise, if you give it some time and put forth the effort, you are going to make friends."
When not working, studying or volunteering, Guzmán spends his time enjoying Austin. “I love the small town feel it has while still having all the amenities and entertainment of any big town," he says. “I love all the water and parks that are nearby and the beautiful hill country that surrounds us."
Graduation is on the horizon for Guzmán and he has already accepted a job offer with Klotz Associates, a Houston-based firm with offices in three other cities, including Austin. He is excited about this next step and looks forward to the future. “I could see myself doing anything from starting my own engineering firm one day to holding public office," he says. “I have always been intrigued by politics so I could see myself getting involved in that arena, trying to do things differently than the last guy. I think one day I would love to try to be mayor of Austin or maybe even a U.S. Senator."