In ten words or less how would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as tenacious with a penchant to easily concede to other ideas. 

Do you have a hobby?
I enjoy knitting (especially blankets) and reading different genres of fiction. My favorite movie is The Old Guard (2020), my favorite show is Over the Garden Wall (2014), and I have two favorite books: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë!

Why did you select this major?
It’s a funny story. I was a math major before I switched to information science. I took SLIS 202: Introduction to Information, Literacy, and Technology with Dr. Elise Lewis as the professor, and immediately I was intrigued. I talked with her and other professors in the field about information science, learning more about the field. I then talked to my advisors and made the switch! There’s something fascinating about how expansive information science is and how it can be applied to multiple fields.

What do you want to do after you graduate?
I plan on going to graduate school either here or at Rutgers University for a master’s and then Ph.D. in information science to be a college professor. I’ve always wanted to teach, and teaching at the university level allows me to really focus on my interests and share them with others through academics.

Who inspires you?
My parents have always been an inspiration to me. My dad came to the U.S. from Colombia to go to university all the while supporting himself and his siblings who came with him. Later, my mom came over and they both worked hard to make a home here. They faced obstacles together and overcame them to make the life they have right now. I admire their work ethics and their passion to their crafts. I hope to be like them in that I’m able to succeed and thrive no matter the path I make.

Have you received any scholarships or awards during your time as a college student?
I’m a freshman, so I haven’t received many awards, but I’ve earned the Dean’s Scholar scholarship, South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the USC STEM Supplemental Scholarship.

Any study strategies you would like to share?
Some study strategies I’ve found useful are mainly meant to defend against procrastination. When it comes to readings, I use the Pomodoro Technique; working for 40 minutes by writing notes and highlighting important parts and taking a break for five minutes. I repeat this until I’ve finished the readings for all my classes. When it comes to studying in general, I try to get rid of all distractions with my phone turned off and noise-canceling headphones on. 

What is your favorite motto (or quote)?
My favorite quote is from Mary Shelley, who said, “Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose — a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.”

There’s a difference between surviving and living, and I think this quote highlights what it’s like to live. This is something I’ve reflected on for a long time. It’s hard for us to know what our purpose is, especially at a young age where we’re trying to still find ourselves in college. I have to say that my purpose has changed throughout my life, and it probably will again (just not as often). I’m happy with where I am right now, and it’s because I’ve found something to believe in and follow through to; it being following my interests and passions to see where they lead (whether it be in academics or hobbies) to live the best to my abilities.