I knew UIUC had one of the top computer science programs in the nation. Knowing that college is ultimately an investment in my future, I wanted to attend a school that could offer many opportunities in my field. Physically visiting UIUC also ensured me that it was the school for me. There is a sense of community on campus that is hard to find in other schools.

The best experience I've had so far was during my first week here in Illinois. I was at the Union bus stop when I saw a woman asking another student for guidance with the buses. The student wasn't too sure himself, so I approached her. She was so pleased that I offered her my help, that she started talking to me about her profession, through which she got to work with James Cameron, Oprah, and other well known professionals in her field. She gave me her email, offering me an internship for my junior/senior year that she only offered to graduate students. School hadn't even started yet, and I was presented with such an amazing opportunity at a bus stop on campus.

There are so many opportunities for engineering students at UIUC. Illinois makes sure we have everything we could possibly need to succeed. I also enjoy that there is an engineering community on campus that includes all engineering majors. This is a very valuable aspect of being an engineering student because it reveals that in the real world, all engineers have to work together and share knowledge with each other to accomplish something great. I love the fact that as an engineering student, I get to see and experience types of engineering outside my major to help advance the community.

I joined EA because I knew it would be a unique opportunity for me to further my communication skills , as I recognize that there will always be room for improvement. I also wanted to be a tool for the College of Engineering to help enlarge and draw attention to engineering programs by talking to people about my experiences so far and what the College of Engineering has to offer to its students.

Firstly, work hard for what you want. Pursing a STEM degree can get very competitive, but it is worthwhile. Secondly, find out what you love and stick to it, all STEM degrees will require hard work, but it is all enjoyable when you are passionate about what you study. Lastly, your experience is what you make of it, so take all the opportunities you can to increase your knowledge in any area, whether it pertains to your field of study or not.

As a cadet in Air Force ROTC, I plan to commission upon graduating. I hope to become a cyber officer in the U.S. Air Force and use my technical background to better understand and serve the needs of my field.