How are you connected to the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) or the Office of Hispanic Initiatives (OHI)?
I am connected to the OHI through the Goizueta Fellowship. I am currently entering my second year of being a Goizueta Fellow, and as such, I am involved in many of the events that the OHI puts on throughout the year.
What advice would you give to students on succeeding academically at Georgia Tech?
The most important thing to succeeding academically at Georgia Tech would be to have or develop good time management skills. Though it may sound cliché, it is very difficult to be successful at a place like Tech if you are not devoting enough time for studying and/or homework. This also includes recognizing which classes you are struggling in and setting apart more time for those classes while still properly balancing a full workload. Finally, it is important that this time management also extend into one’s personal life. Though often overlooked, it is important to set apart some personal time in one’s schedule to get away from the rigor of academics every once in a while.
What advice would you give to students on acclimating socially to Georgia Tech?
For acclimating socially, it is important to find people that share a similar interest. For me, I always played baseball growing up and, so I quickly sought out Georgia Tech Club Baseball and joined, so I could find others that shared this passion. Similarly, when I would hear others talk about baseball in class, I would try and join the conversation so that I could meet new people. We all have our interests outside of school, and it is important to find others that share that interest through some sort of campus organization.
Where have you worked while at Georgia Tech, and what did you enjoy about that experience?
As a Ph.D. student, I have only worked in the lab of Corey Wilson in EBB; I do not have much time for any other on or off campus jobs. I have enjoyed my experience of being a Ph.D. student thus far, mainly due to the degree of flexibility that I have been afforded, both in terms of my schedule and the projects that I get to work on. Flexibility in these two areas has really allowed for me to remain motivated on my work.
What has been your favorite Georgia Tech experience?
My favorite Georgia Tech experience was when I was first accepted and got to visit the school for the first time. Georgia Tech is an outstanding institution academically, so first and foremost, I was ecstatic to have been accepted. When I came to visit, the campus was beautiful. Starting a Ph.D. program, I knew that it would be important to find a place where I could truly feel at home and that was Georgia Tech.
What are you involved with on campus, and why?
Aside from the OHI, I am involved in several programs that are provided through the CEED office. Last summer, I was a graduate mentor for the SURE Program, an undergraduate research program that attracted students from around the nation. I participated in a similar program as an undergraduate, and I saw immense value in it, so I decided to become involved to help younger students that were thinking about graduate school. I then went on to become a Peer 2 Peer Mentor, another program through the CEED office, which allows me to mentor younger Georgia Tech students. I decided to become involved in this after my experience with the SURE Program when I realized how important it is for younger students to have a mentor to whom they can come with questions and when they need advice.
