Cadet Caroline Weeren is a senior from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. In addition to being an Air Force contract, she is also a member of the women’s soccer team and serves as the Human Affairs Officer for her company. She is a Mechanical Engineering major.

Weeren answered a series of questions from Kamryn Peebles, this year’s Regimental Public Affairs NCO, in honor of Women’s History Month and in celebration of 25 Years of Female Cadet Graduates at The Citadel.

Why did you choose The Citadel for your college experience? 

The Citadel is one of the only schools that gave me the opportunity to do everything I wanted to do. I was able to pursue an Air Force contract, play Division I soccer, while also majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Also, I wanted to put myself in an environment that I knew would be challenging and help me grow.

When you’re faced with a challenge, what motivates you to overcome it?

I have an internal drive that motivates me when things get hard and doesn’t let me quit. One of my instructors uses an analogy that I really like — being at The Citadel is like swinging a weighted bat. We should put ourselves in uncomfortable situations while we are here, so we have the opportunity to fail, learn and then grow.

What inspired you to choose your major? Do you have any post-graduation plans? 

I have always been better at math and science than English or history, so I decided to pick Mechanical Engineering as my major. After graduation I plan to be commissioned as a Civil Engineering Officer in the Air Force. My first assignment is at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to get my master’s degree in Engineering Management.

Are you involved in any clubs or extracurriculars at The Citadel?

I have kept myself pretty busy while at The Citadel. I am on the women’s soccer team and was the captain during my last season. I am the President of the Society of American Military Engineers and was a member of the Society of Women Engineers. Also, I have held different rank positions within my company, I am currently serving as the Human Affairs Officer.

What resources or support systems have you found helpful during your time at The Citadel?

The biggest support system I have is the people around me. There are multiple people on campus who I know are always there for me no matter what. Whenever I have a problem, I know they will support me and help me figure it out. There is no way to get through The Citadel alone and I am grateful to have great classmates, friends and professors that have helped me along the way.

As a woman at The Citadel, what advice would you give to other women who are considering coming here?

My best piece of advice would be to not give anyone a reason to doubt you deserve to be here. Women at The Citadel are sometimes judged harder just because there are less of us, and it is easier to stand out whether that is for a good or bad reason. We are under a microscope, so you have to be more prepared than the guys standing next to you.

About Regimental Public Affairs NCO Kamryn Peebles

Kamryn Peebles is a biology major who lives in Conway, South Carolina and is originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. Peebles is the Regimental Public Affairs NCO on campus and wants to pursue a career in optometry or physical therapy.