鈥淲hen I came to Meredith, I planned to major in computer science because I liked that it offered many different career paths, especially since I wasn鈥檛 entirely sure what I wanted to do yet. I have also always loved math, and I didn鈥檛 realize a double major was possible until my professors encouraged me to consider it, so I decided to add mathematics as well.聽
Along the way, I picked up minors in data science and French. Many friends and faculty members encouraged me to try data science, as they thought I would enjoy its combination of computer science and mathematics, and they were right! As for French, since it is a language I grew up speaking in Cameroon, I wanted to continue developing my language skills and exploring francophone cultures, which tied into my broader passion for foreign languages and cultures. I also loved that the French program allowed me to explore specific authors and themes that interested me, whether through independent study courses, research courses, or even a summer research partnership.聽
During my time at Meredith, so many faculty, staff, and fellow students supported and encouraged me, which contributed to my academic and personal growth. Whether through advice, mentorship, or simply believing in me, their support was invaluable.聽
One such example is Dr. Cammey Manning. I met her during my freshman year when I was exploring different major options, and she was one of the first to encourage me to pursue a double major. She shared how she had done the same during her undergrad, which inspired me to consider it. Even though I didn鈥檛 have a class with her until my junior year, Dr. Manning was a constant support throughout my time at Meredith. She was always willing to listen and offer advice not only on coursework but also on career opportunities and personal growth. She even connected me with Meredith alumnaei in similar fields, one of whom led me to my current internship. Dr. Manning鈥檚 genuine care and willingness to support her students in so many ways showed me the importance of mentorship and how much having a strong support system can shape your path, both in school and beyond.
Beyond academic opportunities, I have worked in a variety of roles, both on and off campus. On campus, I had the opportunity to work in various departments, including the Office of Admissions, the School of Business, and the World Languages and Cultures Department, where I developed skills in communication and problem-solving. One of the most rewarding experiences was working as a peer tutor in the Learning Center. I really enjoyed interacting with the students I tutored and learning from their different approaches, and it taught me how to explain things in a way that made sense to others.
Off-campus, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked in different roles as well. Last summer, I was an app development intern, where I applied what I learned in the classroom to real-world problems, which helped me grow both professionally and technically. Since last semester, I have also been working as a test automation intern, where I review and troubleshoot automation scripts to support software reliability.聽聽
In addition to my work experiences, my campus involvement roles have enriched my Meredith experience. As an International Student Ambassador, I participated in the orientation for international students, which remains one of my most cherished memories. I loved getting to know incoming students, sharing my own experiences, and learning from theirs. Similarly, as a member of the Meredith Hues Program, I have interacted with prospective students, answering their questions and helping them feel welcome and informed about life at Meredith. These experiences have all taught me valuable lessons in leadership, empathy, and effective communication.
Throughout all of these experiences, I have discovered that one of my top strengths is my love for learning. I found that I thrive when I am constantly learning and being challenged. I have come to appreciate how much I enjoy the process of figuring things out and solving problems. Looking back, the courses I enjoyed the most were the ones that challenged me.
Being an international student, just adjusting to life in college was a challenge I鈥檓 proud to have overcome while at Meredith. There were a lot of things to get used to, like living in a new culture, studying in a language that wasn鈥檛 my first, and adjusting to a different academic system. While it wasn鈥檛 always easy, I learned to take things one step at a time. The Office of International Programs (OIP) has been very supportive throughout this process, and I truly can鈥檛 stress enough how helpful they have been. From guiding me through paperwork to making sure I felt at home, their support has made all the difference. In the end, overcoming these challenges helped shape my experience here and taught me to handle change with more confidence.聽
After graduation, I鈥檓 really excited to be joining ATLAS Securitized Products full-time as an analyst on their tech team after a great internship experience last summer. My strengths have strongly influenced this path. With being my top strength from the CliftonStrengths Assessment, I have always enjoyed picking up new skills. That curiosity is what drew me to tech in the first place and what keeps me excited about it.聽
Another strength that has shaped my path is , which means that I like structure, value fairness, and believe in having a clear and logical approach to things. That has helped me a lot in technical work, where attention to detail and reliability are very important. It also allows me to build on my skills to continuously improve over time. In my new role, I know that having a methodical mindset will help me succeed and contribute meaningfully to my team.
I first came across Meredith while looking at schools online. It wasn鈥檛 a place I had heard of before, but the more I learned, the more it stood out to me. When I applied and was offered a great scholarship, it made my decision easy. Coming to campus for the first time during orientation, I remember feeling excited to finally meet people and start my journey here. What I didn鈥檛 realize at the time was just how much I would come to appreciate being part of such a close-knit community. Whether in classes, on-campus jobs, or just day-to-day life, there is this feeling that everyone knows and supports each other. The small class sizes and the opportunity to really get to know my professors have made such a difference, and looking back, I can鈥檛 imagine having gone anywhere else.鈥�
