Scuba diving shapes Virginia Tech engineering student’s path

Adelai Silberberg, a Virginia Tech senior studying civil and environmental engineering, embodies the spirit of adventure and purpose. Balancing her passion for scuba diving with her engineering pursuits, Silberberg has developed unique perspectives that guide her academic and professional journey. 

Her strong leadership capacities and academic accomplishments earned her the College of Engineering’s Warren F. Cline scholarship, which provides tuition assistance and networking opportunities as part of the universitywide commitment to offer the full educational experience to students. For Silberberg, it has helped her dive deep – both beneath the sea and into her passion for civil engineering.

A family legacy beneath the waves

Silberberg’s fascination with scuba diving was inspired by her parents, who have been certified divers for over 30 years. Her father’s story of earning his certification in high school in Israel sparked her early curiosity in the sport. 

“Knowing their story growing up inspired me,” Silberberg said. “My parents found a great dive club for me to participate in geared toward middle and high school aged girls. That's where I got my certification and was able to go on trips with others who shared my interests.”

Since getting certified at age 15, she has embraced diving as a lifelong passion. From her first open-water dive in Playa Grande, Costa Rica, where she encountered moray eels, sea turtles, and lionfish, to exploring wrecks and reefs in the Florida Keys, each experience has offered something new.

“I love the unknown,” Silberberg said. “Even diving in the same place, you never know what you’ll see. That sense of discovery keeps me going.”

Connecting scuba diving and civil engineering

For Silberberg, diving is more than a pastime — it mirrors many aspects of civil engineering. “Both come with unknowns and challenges,” she said. “Underwater, you need quick thinking and problem-solving skills, just like when on a construction site and something unexpected happens.” Using quick thinking to handle situations in the safest and fastest way is something that she encounters in both scuba diving and her academic studies. 

Preparing for each dive has taught Silberberg the importance of planning and precision. Before hitting the water, she ensures all equipment — including her buoyancy control device , regulator, and oxygen tank — is properly set up and secure. This meticulous process parallels her approach to internships and academic projects, where she organizes tasks to maximize efficiency. 

“It’s also about time management,” she said. “Underwater, you have limited air, so you need to prioritize and pace yourself. That’s a lesson I apply to my studies and work.”

Scuba diving has also shaped Silberberg’s mindset. “Diving taught me to embrace the unexpected,” she said. This adaptability translates directly to her future career, where she will lead construction projects as a field engineer with Kiewit after graduation.

A leader and mentor

Silberberg takes on leadership roles with pride. She has served as the athletics officer for Alpha Omega Epsilon, vice president of the Scuba Club, and a student ambassador for the civil and environmental engineering department. She also assists students as a writing teaching assistant for a fluid mechanics course, where she finds joy in helping others improve their communication skills.

“I love helping people,” she said. “I feel as if I can direct my passion for civil engineering to new students and hopefully make them passionate about it too.”

Silberberg’s passion for civil and environmental engineering was sparked shortly after she arrived in Blacksburg. When she first started at Virginia Tech, she wanted to major in chemical engineering, but ultimately chose civil engineering because of the different disciplines the department offered and because she has passion for working on teams.

Empowered to learn and lead

For Silberberg, receiving the Warren F. Cline scholarship has been an empowering experience, fueling both personal growth and professional ambition. Through the scholarship, she has discovered the impact her work can have, inspiring her to strive for excellence and believe in her ability to make a difference.

“Receiving this scholarship showed me that what I do can impact people and make a difference, because that's what the scholarship did for me,” she said. 

The Warren F. Cline scholarship is given to a student with outstanding academic achievement in the civil and environmental engineering program and their potential for leadership. By receiving the scholarship, Silberberg had assistance with her tuition, but has also had the opportunity to connect with civil and environmental engineering alumni board members. These interactions offered invaluable insights into the industry and strengthened her commitment to pursuing a meaningful career in civil engineering. 

A vision for the future

Silberberg is eager to continue growing as both an engineer and a diver. She plans to pursue advanced scuba certifications, such as night and limited visibility diver and nitrox, while also preparing for two of the licensed professional engineering exams. 

Her enthusiasm for learning extends to her role as a student ambassador for the civil and environmental engineering department, where she introduces prospective Hokies to the diverse opportunities within civil engineering. “I love sharing my passion for this field,” she said. “If I can inspire even one student, I’ll consider it a success.”

Whether underwater or on campus, Silberberg embodies the community-oriented spirit of Virginia Tech. “I’ve met so many people just by seeing someone in Hokie gear,” she said. “That sense of connection is something I’ll carry with me, wherever I go.”