The Interview

 

Janice: What led you to your current major? Did you always want to do computer engineering?

Hillary: I was a transfer student, and initially I actually was in the Engineering Chemistry major for a semester, I realized that the subject is not for me.

It's funny that it took me a while to realize that I really want to work with computers since when I grew up, I was always tinkering with electronics, I was (and still) fascinated by how computers work in the innards, hence now I am in the Computer Engineering major!

What are some fun facts about yourself?

I'm from Indonesia and I am really passionate about learning new languages. I also really like the color pink and bunnies, almost everything I own is pink and rabbit themed! I wear pink a lot when the weather gets warmer and recently Professor Short said to me "You're wearing your favorite color today!" and it made me laugh!

What were some challenges you faced in this major and how did you overcome them?

When I wanted to transfer to the CEAS Computer Engineering major, I have to fulfill some prerequisites such as Math, Physics, and an ECE course, and it was honestly tough and it was nerve wracking because there's a chance for me to not get in, and I was practically a ball of anxiety when I tried to fulfill the prerequisites in one semester and have to take 20 credits due to financial aid reasons. Although I previously said I've been tinkering with electronics and computer parts previously, I actually have zero experience in coding or programming, and my first ECE course was ESE 124, which is a programming course in C with Professor Doboli. It was definitely a learning curve, but at the end of the day, I really enjoyed learning how to code in C and it made me want to learn more about programming. (Shoutout Professor Doboli! He was very helpful in my journey getting in to the major)

Are you involved in any other extracurricular activities that have aided you in this major?

Yes! I participated in HopperHacks last year, which was my first hackathon. It was such a fun experience, I got to work in a team setting outside of class and learned a new programming language. It helped build my confidence and gave me a better idea of how collaborative engineering can be.

How do you manage the workload of this major?

I try to manage my time by planning ahead and making sure I balance study time with proper breaks. Engineering courses can definitely be intense, but I’ve learned that giving yourself time to rest is just as important. Avoiding burnout helps me stay motivated and do my best work.

Are there any resources from CEAS/Stony Brook that you’ve found useful when it comes to your experience?

I personally find the CEAS advising is very helpful and played a big part on my journey in the major. There's a lot of courses to take and it can be very confusing sometimes of which courses I have to take and can be overwhelming, but CEAS advising is always there to clear the confusion. I really appreciate all the advisors I have talked to that helped me through the semesters!

Now that you are graduating, what are your plans? How do you think any of your involvement on campus has shaped your goals?

Since I am in the accelerated BE/MS program, I will be staying here for another year, but other than that, I hope by the time I graduate with my MS, I will be able to find a job that I am passionate about!

I have made many friends in the major throughout the journey, and honestly seeing them working really hard motivates me to reach my goal.

Do you have any advice for those who are also looking to get involved in a major they don’t have any prior experience in?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they might be silly. Professors, advisors, and fellow students are usually more than happy to help. Everyone is here to learn, and asking questions is one of the best ways to grow. No one starts out knowing everything, and it’s okay to not have all the answers right away.

What do you think was the most important thing you’ve learned in this major and what helped you make the most of your experiences?

I have learned that being open to growth is a way to be a better student. Computer Engineering can be challenging, and there's times where I doubted if I was capable of succeeding. But through every course and project, I learned that persistence, asking for help, and being open to learning from mistakes made a huge difference. What helped me the most was surrounding myself with supportive friends and professors, and reminding myself that it's okay to struggle, as long as I keep moving forward.