From Changing Majors, to Changing Communities for the Better

Many students set their sights on attending UCI because of our unique computer science program; the University of California, Irvine is the only campus in the UC system to have an entire school dedicated to the study of computer science and related majors. The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, or the School of ICS, boasts an education that includes both practical and theoretical applications to the field of tech. 

In order to demystify the world of ICS at UCI, I decided to interview my friend Kazeem, a rising third year majoring in computer science!

Hey Kazeem, it’s nice to hear from you again! Before we get into your thoughts on the School of ICS, what would you say inspired you to pursue an education in computer science (CS)?

I’ve always held an interest in computer programming from a young age. I would always play around with HTML, CSS, etc. and it always made me excited that you could create something based off of code. 

What do you plan to do after you complete your undergraduate years here at UCI?

After undergrad, I plan to work as a software engineer in a startup company in either Los Angeles or Irvine. I also have hopes of getting a master’s degree in computer science in the near future. Another goal of mine after undergrad is to give back to my community. Whether that is creating something that can help youth, giving my personal time, or donating money, I know that I want to be a part of a positive impact. 

Many students end up changing their major at some point in college. How would you describe your experience switching into the CS major from Undecided/Undeclared? Do you have any recommendations for students wishing to do the same?

Yes, it was a very difficult process because apart from having to obtain a spot in required classes, you have to get a minimum GPA in arguably some of the most challenging courses for the major. As a new college student I really had to focus early on in order to ensure that I would be able to major in what I was really passionate about. I recommend that other students don’t take their classes lightly if they are trying to make a switch into the major like I was, because the higher the GPA you can get in the required classes, the better.

What involvements have you taken part in to further your skills as you pursue your future career in tech? Anything on campus? Off campus? 

To further my skills as I pursue a future in tech, I have joined different clubs and organizations on campus. For example, I joined National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Google Developer Student Clubs (DSC), which both have given me insight as to what it’s like to work in the tech industry, and provided helpful information that can put me on the right path. 

Our School of ICS commits itself to increasing diversity within the world of computer science, especially through our Office of Access and Inclusion. How would you say these initiatives have helped students on our campus? 

I had the privilege of working in the Office of Access and Inclusion (OAI) as a Computer Science Lead and it is really awesome to be part of an organization where one of their main priorities is focusing on targeting minorities. For example, summer 2019 I had the opportunity to teach kids of color, grades K-12, how to make applications on their everyday smartphones. I would have never been able to do that if it wasn’t for OAI.

How have you adjusted to a full course load of remote classes since spring quarter last year?

In order to adjust to the workload of remote classes, I really had to get my mental health in check. On my YouTube channel, I have a quarantine series where I demonstrate how I keep my sanity as well as get everything I want to accomplish in the midst of a pandemic. Although we are in unfortunate circumstances, I just make the most out of the resources that I do have.  

What else are you passionate about that has helped you throughout your time here at UCI?

Something else that I am very passionate about is my YouTube channel. It has really helped me document my college experience and allowed me to tap into a more creative side as a content creator. My channel is all about spreading positivity while documenting my life glo-up and I want to continue to help as many people as I can through my videos, even if just giving somebody a good laugh. 

Any last minute advice you would like to give to our readers?

If there is anybody out there pursuing computer science like I did, I wish them the best of luck and I would tell them to try their absolute best. And don’t be afraid to make new friends because these connections that you form with people are going to be worthwhile and possibly even lifelong relationships that you end up cherishing.