Describe your central passion(s) and how you hope to carry that into your post-grad plans:
I enjoy coding, analytics, and computers/technology altogether. As I have grown and found my passions regarding technology, I hope to continue developing my technical skills and have different jobs in several niches of Tech. I hope after gathering a variety of skills I can create my own Tech company one day.
What (or who) helped inspire your passion in this area (or areas)?
My younger self helped inspire my passion for technology. I remember I had my first clunky computer at about 5 years old and I would do a bunch of things to it, ultimately giving it viruses that crashed my first computer. A big thank you to my mom for putting it in my room and letting me have fun and accidentally destroying our only desktop at the time.
Briefly tell us the story of one stand-out memory from your time at Flagler that will always make you smile:
A memory that always makes me smile was getting to know and befriending the workers in the Student Center.
What academic resources, experiences, or mentors proved most valuable throughout your Flagler experience?
My mentor Ryan Ginnow, a Flagler alumnus and local software developer, was the biggest blessing to me and the CIS program. He took on mentoring a lot of students willing to learn and wanting to utilize his knowledge from working in Web Development for so long. There have been countless times we would stay up late because he would help me with my programming projects and homework.
Dr. Huang and Dr. Wang are the best professors and mentors I have had since starting college. I had them both several times throughout my two years at Flagler. They both encouraged me to put my best foot forward even when I was struggling with learning the content of the classes. There were also numerous times they would meet with me outside of class or office hours to help or answer questions I had. I remember asking Dr. Huang for extra work so I could get better at database management.
What is one piece of advice or lesson you learned about the college experience that you wish you could tell your freshman year self?
You learn more from failing than being successful. To truly grow, you must be uncomfortable.
Tell us about what you’re up to next! Any cool experiences, professional positions, or unique opportunities you have lined up after graduation?
I hope to go full time in IT at my current internship company, Stellar. I will also be going to Colorado shortly after graduating, and I plan on going to grad school within the next one to two years.