Major: Software Engineering
Minor: Engineering Sales
What influenced your decision to choose Software Engineering?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved technology. In high school, I was able to take a robotics class and a coding class. I liked coding so much I went to a coding summer camp at the University of Puerto Rico -Mayagüez campus and later decided to go into Computer Engineering. I later realized I liked the coding side more than the hardware side, so I switched to Software Engineering in my sophomore year.
Where is your “hometown”? Fun fact about home?
Gurabo, Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is home to three of the world’s five bioluminescent bays, where the water glows in the dark due to the presence of microorganisms.
“I was able to fix the infamous Nintendo switch joycon drift myself.” – Ainara Machargo
What are you involved in at the university (or off)?
I was involved in several student organizations such as the Puerto Rican Student Association, SHPE, and Society of International Engineers.
What was your favorite part of student life? And why?
ISU is such a lively campus with events and activities going on all the time, from hackathons to ISU After Dark. You can develop yourself professionally and have fun simultaneously. You can also meet people from any part of the USA and worldwide. Also, if you time it right, you can get free meals a couple of times a week from all the events on campus.
Who has had the biggest impact on you and why?
My parents have been my biggest support. They have always encouraged me to pursue my passion for technology, although they are not in any tech-related roles themselves, and encouraged me to fulfill my dream of going to school in the States.
Tell us a little about your internship experiences. What role did you play? What did you like most about your role?
I interned twice at Wells Fargo, Summer 2022 in Charlotte, NC, and Summer 2023 in New York, NY. In 2022, I was a QA Engineer. In 2023, I was a Full Stack Engineer. I enjoyed being a full stack engineer as I got to update some of the UI and implement extra functionality of a telemetry program my team used very frequently to diagnose problems in one of the most computing-heavy systems in the firm. I also got to meet amazing employees and interns and even got to meet Kal Penn at one of my intern events.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will return to Wells Fargo in New York to join the Technology Analyst program.
If you could give an incoming SE Program student advice, what would it be?
Go to conferences! You can attend many great conferences every year, and there are many opportunities at ISU to go to these without hurting your pockets. It is a great networking opportunity; you get to interact with many companies and learn new things.
Another piece of advice is to read your emails. You never know who is reaching out to you or what opportunity you have sitting in your inbox. I got my internship from an Engineering Career Services email sharing the application to the Wells Fargo Women in Technology conference.
Could you tell us a little more about your experience at Iowa State? Favorite memories?
In Spring 2022, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. My favorite memory was going to UC3M (which has a lot of exchange students from all over the world), learning about different cultures, and having an opportunity to meet some of my family that lives in Spain. The food was amazing, and I still miss tapas.
What’s one random fun fact about yourself you’d be willing to share?
I was able to fix the infamous Nintendo switch joycon drift myself.
Please share any other accomplishments, interests, travel or activities (outside of school) that interest you here. We’d love to know more about you.
I like cycling! This summer, I biked across Central Park!