Setting Up Camp

Joseph Light loves the great outdoors.

In fact, the Scottsburg, Ind. native enjoys being outside so much that he has decided to incorporate it into his career. Light will graduate from Indiana State University in spring 2020 with a degree in civil engineering and a dream of becoming part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Light has clearly marked his trail in life. “Engineering is a blast,” he said. “I enjoy the design side of the classes, as well as doing engineering work hands-on in the labs.”

Civil engineering has been a goal of Light’s since he volunteered with Hoosier Hikers Council last spring. The organization builds and sustains a new trail at parks around the state each month. “I volunteered for about six hours helping build and create a trail in Shoals, Ind.,” he said. “It was neat to see how trails are made.”

For Light, connecting with the outside world is part of his nature. He’s been camping three or four times a year since he was born. “Camping helps bring you closer to your family,” he said. “When I go camping, my grandparents, aunts and uncles go. It helps connect us more. It also helps us get out and exercise more, too.”

Inspired by his past experiences, Light works to give others the same opportunities he was able to experience. “Indiana State has multiple ways you can volunteer here and at surrounding organizations,” he said. “I’ve helped in the community garden. I’ve helped with food pantries and with fish fries during Lent.”

Light strives to make his home at State a better place through his on-campus work experiences as well. “ISU has given me the privilege to have a job every year on campus through my State Works Scholarship,” he said. “I have been an office assistant, a lab assistant, and currently, I am a barista at Starbucks.”

Light looks forward to applying the skills he learned at State in a career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “I want to help them build and create campgrounds and parks for other families to get to enjoy like I did with my family,” he said. “My BLUE is creating campgrounds for families in the local communities so they have the opportunity to experience the great outdoors together.”