What influenced your decision to major in Software Engineering? Tell us a little bit about your path getting here.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved computers. In high school I started getting interested in programming and researched what I could study in college. I weighed the differences between computer science, software engineering, and computer engineering and decided Software Engineering was the best fit. Before coming to college, I had only taken one programming class, and that was a gateway to me being a Girls Who Code mentor at my local elementary school. Being able to provide mentorship and teach programming to young girls reinforced that I was on the right path to doing something I love.
Where is your “hometown”?
I’m originally from Bondurant, Iowa.
“Never give up. Always seek help from your peer mentor, TAs, and professors. They’re there to help you and they want to see you succeed.” -Lydia McCleary
What are you involved in at the university?
On campus I’m involved in Digital Women and being a Software Engineering Peer Mentor. I currently serve as the Vice President of Digital Women. Digital Women is a student organization dedicated to retaining women in technology majors, but it is also open to everybody (yes, including men!). An invaluable experience I’ve had because of Digital Women was the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration this year in Orlando, FL. It was so inspiring to be surrounded by brilliant women in the field of technology. I was given innumerable opportunities to network, and I was able to land an internship for next summer as well!
I’m in my second year of being a Peer Mentor and it’s a role I truly love because I get to have a direct impact on freshmen. My peer mentor freshman year had a positive impact on me. She encouraged me to stay in Software Engineering when I started to doubt myself. I wanted to be able to give back and be that person for others so I applied to be a peer mentor as well. I love being able to help my students whether it’s in the lab, connecting them with other students, or giving them advice on classes or life in general.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Seven Software Engineering students attended the 2022 Grace Hopper Celebration in Orlando, FL this fall. They included Katie Hansen, Erica Hollander, Lakin Jenkins, Mytien Kien, Haylee Lawrence, Lydia McCleary, and Brittney Yu.)
What was your favorite part of student life? And why?
Something I really enjoy about life at Iowa State is the M Shop in the Memorial Union. I love live music and I’ve been able to see one of my favorite bands there!
Who has had the biggest impact on you and why?
My dad has had the biggest impact on me. He worked in tech, and I always looked up to that when I was growing up. He encouraged me to get into programming long before I became interested in it. Since going to college, he’s always been supportive of me and encouraged me to keep going even when I’m struggling. He inspires me to learn new things and do my very best every day.
Have you had an internship/job? What did you like most about your role?
This past summer I had an internship at Principal Financial Group. I worked under the Principal Securities Inc. division. Something I liked most about my role was the ability to gain experience working with cloud technologies (AWS). AWS was a technology I wanted to learn before going into my internship and PFG paid for my baseline certification. Next summer, I will be heading to Seattle to work for Oracle which I am incredibly excited about!
If you could give an incoming SE Program student advice, what would it be?
Never give up. Always seek help from your peer mentor, TAs, and professors. They’re there to help you and they want to see you succeed.
What’s one random fun fact about yourself you’d be willing to share?
I have a very old cat back home named Binx who only has one eye.