CSpotlight: Transferring Triumphs
Why did you choose to transfer specifically to the University of Minnesota?
I transferred from Loyola University, Chicago. At the time in my freshman year, I was actually a pre-med student studying biology. I really wanted to get involved with research and this was not something “plausible” at Loyola. I actually came from Minnesota so I had a lot of friends here who just seem to be having amazing luck landing research positions with very impressive faculty. I then decided to transfer to the UMN studying Physiology, which I eventually got involved with cancer research. However, the pre-med dream did not really stick around for too long.
How did you become interested in computer science?
It was kind of a weird path! When I decided that I did not want to go to medical school anymore, my next thought was mechanical engineering. I started taking classes thinking that I would transfer into CSE within the next year. While on track for mechanical engineering, I was eventually cornered into taking my very first computer science class. (I think it was CSCI 1113) I have never heard of computer science before taking this class and I honestly did not expect to like it either. It turned out to be a perfect mesh of mathematics, logic, and creativity. I love how there was more than one way to solve a problem. That one class basically made me ditch the thought of mechanical engineering and I made my switch to computer science!
Tell us more about Days for Girls. How did you decide to establish the organization?
Days for Girls is an international non-profit that creates menstrual care solutions for women in disadvantaged communities around the world. I was involved with a chapter in my hometown and I loved doing it. It was basically a lot of sewing and I was doing it with a lot of women between the ages of 40-70 so I was the only young person there. I was thinking about how I could get people my age to get involved. The organizer of the chapter from my hometown had offered to help me out if I wanted to go through with this project. I also talked to a few of my friends at the UMN to see if they would be interested in being part of this. We officially launched a chapter at the University of Minnesota in Fall 2019. What we do specifically at our meeting is to sew cloth reusable menstrual pad kits and distribute them to northern Haiti.
How did you decide to become a TA? How has being a TA impacted your academic journey?
I decided to become a TA because I had actually failed a handful of classes, both computer science and other science. A big reason why this happened was because I was struggling to reach out for help. I knew I needed super but I was not the best at advocating for myself. Becoming a TA allows me to create an environment that is open to question - there is no such thing as a stupid question. I wanted to be not only an academic support person but also be able to support students who are struggling. I want to tell them that “hey I have failed this amount of classes and I promise that even in doing so, you will end up okay!” A few failures will not dictate your future, and I wanted to be an example of this.
What advice do you have for incoming computer science students?
Put your best effort into making friends in your classes. Having an academic and emotional support community with your classmates is very critical to your success. I personally learn things quickly by talking things out with others, which you can’t realistically do with your professors or TAs. I was in the hospital for a big portion of my last semester. I wouldn’t have been able to make it past my classes if I didn’t have a group of students who selflessly dedicated their time to support me academically. They were super critical to my success and I hope other students can find similar support.
What are your plans after graduation?
My computer science interest has shifted to UI/UX designs and I hope to continue doing web designs for some companies. Maybe I will get my associates degree in graphic design since it is something that I really miss. I also hope sometimes 10-15 years down the road I can get a master’s degree in computer science and teach in my older age.