Landon Klopfenstein
Landon’s passion for problem-solving and creative-thinking led him to pursue a degree in engineering. At first, Landon was unsure which engineering discipline he wanted to study, but with the help of both the Academy faculty and upper-class cadets, he decided that he was best suited for Civil Engineering.
On faculty expertise
“I chose the Civil Engineering field because of its reputation as a community of talented and hard-working individuals. The Civil Engineering faculty and staff at the Coast Guard Academy are subject matter experts that have worked for many years in the civil engineering field. They have real-world experience and knowledge that translates directly into their teaching and makes for an in depth learning experience that puts the Coast Guard Academy Civil Engineering program above the rest.”
On real-world classroom experiences
“The major is mentally and academically challenging but it is well worth it. Classes are interactive and we’re constantly learning new material that is directly applicable to real-world civil engineering. In fact, a majority of our learning is hands-on; I spend just as much time getting my hands and uniform dirty in the Civil Engineering lab as I do learning in the classroom.”
On post-graduation opportunities
“After graduation I want to go to flight school and hope to fly the MH-60T aircraft. During my 1/c cadet summer at Air Station Elizabeth City I met multiple pilots that were Civil Engineering students at the Coast Guard Academy. One of the many advantages of being a Civil Engineering student is the network of Civil Engineers in the Coast Guard.”