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Women's Basketball Bill Roose, WSU Media Relations Manager

Taylor Thompson’s Grit Embodies Wayne State’s College to Career Commitment

DETROIT – Taylor Thompson doesn't believe in doing things halfway.

As a senior at Wayne State University's James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering and a student-athlete on the Warriors' women's basketball team, Thompson is the embodiment of balance, grit and forward momentum.

She is also a standout example of Wayne State's Prosperity Agenda in action, specifically, the university's commitment to accelerating mobility through its College to Career initiative.

College to Career prepares students for meaningful careers by equipping them with both academic knowledge and hands-on experience.  For Thompson, this meant pushing through a rigorous engineering curriculum and Division II athletic demands, as well as gaining hands-on knowledge through an internship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Detroit District.

"The core of what I do is built on structure and sacrifice," said Thompson, who is in her second summer with USACE.  "I've learned you can't give 100% to everything every day, but you can be intentional.  Some days, academics come first.  Other days, it's basketball.  And some days, it's my work with the Corps. It's all about balance."

That balance took root at an early age.

Raised in a military-influenced household in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and driven by a commitment to lessen the financial burden on her parents, Thompson committed to basketball to fund her education. But she didn't stop there. An early interest in how things work —  taking apart household gadgets, assembling IKEA furniture and an enduring a love for math — led her to mechanical engineering.

"I didn't realize it at the time," she said, "but all those instincts lined up perfectly with engineering."

Today, Thompson applies those instincts at Fort Wayne — site of the USACE's boatyard along the Detroit River — where she's part of the operations and maintenance division.  Her work ranges from CAD design and contract assistance to hands-on sign creation and display design.  She's helped install project signs in places as far as Alpena and Harbor Beach and contributes to infrastructure projects that affect communities across Michigan's eastern shoreline.

"The internship has been eye-opening," she says.  "This is not theoretical.  I'm working on projects that directly impact people.  That's the kind of engineering I want to do — work that matters."

Getting here wasn't easy.  Thompson is candid about the challenges: sleepless nights, burnout and learning the hard way that perfection in every arena isn't sustainable.

"Freshman year was rough," she admits. "I tried to excel in school and on the court at the same time.  I eventually had to learn how to pace myself."

Despite the hurdles, she's charting a path that's uniquely hers.

After graduation in December 2026, Thompson plans to pursue a master's, either in mechanical engineering or engineering management, and continue with the Corps through its Recent Graduates Program.  She's also exploring the Army Reserves, following a legacy path carved by her father, uncle and grandfather.

"I want to rise," she says.  "I don't want to settle.  I want to lead in whatever field I'm in, whether that's government, military or both."

Along the way, key mentors have helped shape her success.  One of the most influential:  Amy Peterson, a part-time faculty member in mechanical engineering.  

"She just made things click for me," Thompson says. "Her class was one of my best experiences at Wayne State, not just because she taught well, but because she made the process of learning feel possible in a tough program."

Wayne State Athletics Director Erika Wallace sees Thompson as a model Warrior.

"Taylor embodies everything we stand for at Wayne State:  resilience, excellence and heart," Wallace said.  "Her dedication to her team, her academics and her future career is unmatched.  She's not just showing up, she's setting the standard on the court and in the classroom, proving that true student-athletes don't just play the game — they lead it."

Wayne State's support system — from flexible internship schedules to leadership opportunities — is designed to meet students where they are, providing the resources Thompson needs to build her own path to success.

"They've met me where I am," she says. "They've helped me go from college to career in a way that's real and personal."
 
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Players Mentioned

Taylor Thompson

#30 Taylor Thompson

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5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Taylor Thompson

#30 Taylor Thompson

5' 11"
Junior
F