December 2009
Q: When were you involved in MESA and how did you hear about it?
A: I was involved in MESA my sophomore year of high school (at Duncan Polytechnical High School in Fresno) and I heard about MESA through my Earth Science teacher who at that time was the advisor.
Q: How did MESA affect you?
A: MESA affected me in such an astronomical way that I am truly thankful for. MESA introduced me to engineering, taught me the challenges involved with projects that involve science, mathematics, and engineering, gave me a chance to work and compete with students throughout the central valley and helped me prepare for college.
Q: Was there something MESA offered that particularly helped you with your classes or major?
A: The math tests that MESA offered during the Saturday Academies definitely helped me to prepare for my first calculus class in college. The test was not only challenging, but also pushed me to learn. MESA also taught me leadership skills and teamwork. I apply these skills to my everyday life in college, and it has helped me develop into a more confident individual, with great leadership skills that helped me to be able to hold officer positions in organizations on campus, and best of all was having the skills to work with students I never knew before and eventually became friends with.
Q: What are your career plans?
A: My career plans are to get a bachelor's of science in civil engineering, possibly a double major and get a math degree and teaching credential. I'd like to take the engineering in training exam so I can eventually earn the civil engineering professional license. After getting my bachelor's I plan to work and earn my master's then eventually get a PhD.
Q: What advice do you give other students in math, science or engineering fields?
A: My advice for students in the math, science and engineering fields is to never give up, and do the best you can because eventually everything will fall into place. There are challenging moments and that will make us stronger and wiser. Always think ahead about what awaits you, which is the knowledge of what you are studying and the goal of an engineering degree.
Q: Were you the first person in your family to go to college? If so, how does that feel?
A: I am the first person of my family to attend a four-year college. It feels great to be different from the rest of my family. I am very thankful for all the support from my family, friends, and teachers and am greatly looking forward to bringing home the degree to them.
Q: What does MESA mean to you?
A: As an alum of MESA, I feel that MESA has been the foundation that has provided me with the support, education, and push to help me succeed and be where I am today. MESA to me means more than Math Engineering Science Achievement, it means helping and providing students with the background of what really is involved with the STEM field by providing activities and academies that touch base on engineering, math, and science.
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