“God is a creator, and as a daughter of God, I am meant to create as well,” said BYU engineering student Rebecca Frei. “Whatever it is we’re doing in the world, we should be doing something that will positively impact others — that will create good.”
For Frei, engineering isn’t just a career path; it’s a passion rooted in her faith, family and desire to serve. Inspired by a legacy of engineers in her family — including two older siblings and her dad — Frei says that manufacturing engineering really “found her.”
“Engineering and creativity aren’t separate — they’re both about solving problems and making something beautiful,” she explained.
That belief came to life during a transformative experience with BYU’s Global Engineering Outreach program. Traveling through South America, Frei joined a student team working on meaningful, real-world challenges.
She helped design and deliver prosthetic leg liners in Ecuador — building on the very same project her siblings had worked on in past years — while also contributing to tools like quinoa washers and emission sensors to aid local farmers.
"I used to think creativity was just about art, but I’ve learned it’s about building good in the world. It’s a part of our divine potential."
These experiences deepened her appreciation for engineering’s ability to transform lives in powerful and deeply personal ways.
“You put a lot of love into a project and then to go implement it is such an eye-opening experience,” Frei reflected. “You get to see that you're really just such a small part of making change in the world, but you’'re still a part of it all.”
In addition to her South America project, Frei spent a semester studying abroad in Spain and completed internships with both Whirpool and Boeing.
“Getting internship experience as well really helped me gain confidence in my abilities to be an engineer,” Frei said. “It’s kind of where the rubber meets the road.”
After graduation, Frei will work full time for Whirlpool in the manufacturing leadership development program.
During her time at BYU, Frei has designed and engineered notable projects that she’s proud of such as a Kevlar canoe, a cast iron skillet and a coffee table.
“I realized that I could take an idea in my head and make it a reality,” she said. “Through engineering, I’ve found I can make an impact. I want to serve other people, and I want to help other people feel the love of God.”
Frei believes that creativity is a divine gift—something she values more deeply than any project she has worked on.
“I used to think creativity was just about art, but I’ve learned it’s about building good in the world. It’s a part of our divine potential.”
