Anna Carter  

Anna Carter is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the spring of 2026. She is from Columbiana, Alabama, and she is a Birdsong Scholar, a Cupola Engineering Ambassador, a member of the Materials Engineering Society of Auburn and a former Camp War Eagle counselor.  

Why Auburn?   

“I fell in love with Auburn the second I stepped on campus. Initially, I was planning on transferring to the Naval Academy after a year, but once I got here, there was no way I could ever leave. I couldn’t fathom spending my college years anywhere else. To me, it doesn’t get any better than Auburn. Auburn encompasses a blend of academics, athletics, extracurriculars and social life — you can find everything you could ever dream of here.”   

Why Materials Engineering?   

“I’ve dreamed of working in aerospace engineering for as long as I can remember. I started at Auburn in aerospace engineering, but as I delved deeper into the program, I realized materials engineering opened more doors for me. My passion for aerospace and the intricacies of structuring aircraft led me to find my home in the materials engineering program.”  

Extracurriculars?   

“During my Auburn tour, I found out about the Birdsong Scholarship and filed it in the back of my mind. Once sophomore year came around, I knew I wanted to study abroad, and the Birdsong Scholarship was the most unique opportunity I could have ever imagined. The scholarship was established to help engineering students become more well-rounded by exploring fields outside of their program. Through the scholarship, I learned to bake in Portugal, craft handmade jewelry in England and create a perfume in France.”    

Future Goals?  

“My goal is to find a career in the aerospace or automotive industry. I’m fascinated with the structuring and testing side of engineering. I want to be on a team that tackles the ‘why’ of engineering obstacles — figuring out why things do or don’t work and solving the problems. The notion of addressing engineering challenges is what drives me.”  

To learn more about Carter, check out her interview on the award-winning #GINNing Podcast.