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Information science systems and technology, according to Andrew, is “a modern look at how we communicate using technology, and how to improve the way we share information.” He describes the program as fairly broad. “You’re encouraged to define what you want out of it,” he says. Andrew began his career at Cornell as an architect, and then moved to materials science before finding a home in ISST. “Information science is a unique discipline, and the way Cornell approaches it is even more unique," he says. "A lot of programs depend mainly on computer science, but Cornell mixes in financial models and statistics.” As Andrew’s engineering goals include going into industry, one of his favorite classes was Intro to Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering. “We talked about the business side of engineering, microeconomics, how prices are determined by business and government," he says. "It showed a softer side of engineering, and it was nice to break that shell.” The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is just one of the many societies and clubs that vie for Andrew’s time on campus. He is the Web developer for the ETHOS yearbook, an IT team leader in the computing lab in Phillips Hall, and a member of the Phenomenon Step Team, which brings step dancing and its connections with the Black and Latino community to Cornell at large. Andrew says one of his most significant experiences at Cornell was the opportunity to participate in the LeaderShape Institute, a six-day residential program that exposes students to the many issues of leadership development. This highly interactive and energizing program provides the tools for individuals to “believe in a healthy disregard for the impossible and produce extraordinary results.” “We learned how to develop a vision to guide our own actions, and to really respect other people’s ideas,” says Andrew. “There was some nitty-gritty role-playing. I focused on developing educational ideas for young people.” According to Andrew, college works best if you are not afraid of the challenges you are bound to face. “Take life for what it is,” he says, “and run with it.” | ||||||||||||
