How are you connected to the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) or the Office of Hispanic Initiatives (OHI)?
I am a Goizueta Scholar as part of OHI.
What advice would you give to students on succeeding academically at Georgia Tech?
In order to succeed academically at Georgia Tech, it is imperative that you have both a schedule and the motivation to follow that schedule. I personally take a couple minutes each Sunday to see what I have for the upcoming week and pencil everything into my schedule for the week. That way, I won’t forget any assignments or readings due, and I will be prepared for class. It is also important to actually follow that weekly schedule. Find the motivation within yourself to study when you should, whether that be writing motivational notes all over your room, rewarding yourself with something special at the end of the week, or simply reminding yourself how important it is to stay on track and how happy you will feel once you’ve completed your work. One of my friends even bought fancy pens and notebooks as a way to motivate herself to study. Find whatever works for you that keeps you focused and motivated.
What advice would you give to students on acclimating socially to Georgia Tech?
My advice to acclimate socially to Georgia Tech would be to try every organization you may be remotely interested in, and then stick with the one or two things that you actually enjoyed doing. Clubs, sports teams, professional societies, and Greek life are all great ways to find your niche on campus that gives you both a break from studying and a core friend group to share college with.
Where have you worked while at Georgia Tech, and what did you enjoy about that experience?
While at Georgia Tech, I completed three rotations of a co-op at Rubicon Global and also interned for Deloitte Consulting LLP. I highly recommend either a co-op or interning at some point in your college career because the opportunity strengthens your technical skills, helps you network for full-time opportunities, and teaches you invaluable professional soft skills that you will not get in a classroom setting. It is also nice having that break from schoolwork every other semester while also earning an income to help pay for college. I truly enjoyed both my co-op and internship because of all the lessons and connections I made in those experiences. Now that I am looking for full-time employment, I’m able to leverage both the skills I learned and the connections I made in my collegiate work experiences to find full-time career opportunities.
What has been your favorite Georgia Tech experience?
My favorite Georgia Tech experience was when I spent a summer studying Spanish in Mexico and Ecuador through the Language for Business and Technology (LBAT) program. Through this experience, I made some great new friendships within the Georgia Tech community while earning a minor in Spanish and exploring two new cultures. I spent the summer living with two host families and immersing myself as I traveled out of the country for the first time in my life. It was a terrifying experience at first. During the first night of my trip, I vividly remember asking myself, “What did I just get myself into?” However, after the 11 weeks were over, I was more independent and hungry for exploration than ever before. I highly recommend studying abroad as it’s a fantastic way to get out of your comfort zone and truly experience a once in a lifetime opportunity!
What are you involved with on campus, and why?
On campus, I am heavily involved in my sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, serving on the executive council for two years. My sorority has been my safe haven for the past four years. It has provided me a space to grow in leadership and friendship, and it has shaped me into the person I am today and has introduced me to lifelong friends and connections. I also am an ambassador for the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering because I am very passionate about my major and enjoy recruiting for and promoting the school. In my past four years at Tech, I’ve also been an orientation leader for FASET, a member of Freshman Servant Leadership Organization, a member of the Dinner Jackets committee within the Student Alumni Association, and a member of the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society.
What has been your study abroad experience while at Georgia Tech?
I spent a summer studying abroad in both Mexico and Ecuador through the Spanish LBAT program. During this time, I lived with two host families over 11 weeks and studied the culture and history of those communities. I was able to visit absolutely incredible sites, including the Galapagos Islands, while earning a minor in Spanish. Studying abroad is a fantastic way to get out of your comfort zone, become more independent, and truly experience a once in a lifetime opportunity.
