COE Student Spotlight: Yesenia Valenzuela
My Journey
A challenge I faced while pursuing my computer science degree was learning the different programming languages. In the beginning of my major, it seemed like most people had already come in with some previous experience or knowledge in coding from high school or from home. As I progressed to higher level courses, it felt like I wasn’t retaining what I learned about the languages, and it was becoming more difficult to progress through my classes. There were times throughout my degree when I wanted to change majors, even though I was still interested in the subject and was doing well with some other aspects of the major. I felt as though I was falling behind my peers and needed to study twice as hard with each new assignment.
Another challenge I faced was having to leave campus as soon as my classes were over. I didn’t have a car, so most of the time I commuted to and from school by bus. Since my bus stop was a 15-minute walk from the College of Engineering, I typically needed to leave as soon as my classes finished to catch the bus on time. If I missed the bus, I would have to wait another 30-60 minutes for the next bus. Both of my parents worked, so sometimes I needed to get home in time to pick up my little brother from school. Other times, I needed to get home before the sun went down, because it was dangerous to walk alone after dark. Since I had to leave early all the time, I couldn't stay to study with classmates, so it was difficult to make friends. At home, I shared a space with my younger siblings, so I had a hard time concentrating on studying because there was never a quiet place to study.
What Helped Me Succeed
During my first year, it was the people from the BESST program that helped me stay motivated. Specifically, one of the 2nd year tutors, because she would invite me to go to the job fairs and workshops with her. She also introduced me to the director and program coordinator of the BESST/ programs, who helped me get a job in their office in my second year. I struggled the most in the third year of my degree. I wasn’t doing as well in my classes, so I had to stop working and instead focused all my time on studying. I got a dog around this time and taking her for walks helped me take my mind off school and take necessary breaks from overworking myself. In the final year of my degree, the BESST/MESA program coordinator and director reached out to me again with a work opportunity and motivated me to continue through my degree. With everyone's support, including my parents and a few professors along the way, I was able to finish my courses and get my degree within 4 ½ years.
Advice for Other Students
I didn’t learn about engineering and computer science until 12th grade in school, and even then, I still didn’t know the extent of the major until I started taking classes for my degree. I was the first in my family to go to college and I am also the oldest of my siblings, so I am familiar with how intimidating it can feel to do something for the first time. As someone who used to be afraid to ask questions, my advice for students would be not to be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s asking for class recommendations from classmates and advisors, assignment help from tutors and faculty, or just simple advice from family and friends. Most of the time they don’t mind helping, and sometimes it can even lead to other opportunities because you build a support system.
Campus Resources I Used
*Name changed at student's request.
