Yashi Srivastava ITI’25 hadn’t heard of SC&I when she first arrived at Rutgers. She was initially planning to study public health and was only introduced to the Information Technology and Informatics major after a student in the Structure of Information course, which she was taking only to fulfill a Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences requirement, suggested she would enjoy the major.

After researching more about the ITI program, she said she realized it fit her goals of bringing “a more humane aspect of studying technology, learning about ethical design processes, analyzing how technology impacts societies, humans, and organizations, and how we can improve technologies to increase accessibility,” and that it is a perfect combination of her interest in technology.

ITI students at SC&I can take three different specialized pathways, including Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Data Management, Analytics, and Information Visualization, and Web Design and Development, which is the pathway Srivastava has chosen.

Some of the classes she has most enjoyed and been inspired by have been Introduction to IT & Informatics with Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Information Technology and Informatics Warren Allen, Social Informatics taught by part-time lecturer and alumna Connie Pascal, Ph.D. ‘11 and Management of Technological Organizations with Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science Tawfiq Ammari.

When Srivastava is not dedicating her time to her ITI studies, she is focusing on ways she can raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine and drive youth engagement in this advocacy field. For the last five years she has participated in tobacco prevention work, continuing the efforts she began in high school. She serves as an ambassador for Truth Initiative, a non-profit organization that raises awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and helps youth plan tobacco-free events, and more. She also serves as a non-voting member of Truth Initiative's Board of Directors as a Youth Board Liaison.

At Rutgers, she is co-founder of Incorruptible U, the only student-led organization focusing on raising awareness about the harmful consequences of smoking and vaping while providing substance-free events for the student body.

While interning in Washington D.C. as a communications intern for Education Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to dismantling the racial and economic barriers in the U.S. education system, she was inspired to apply to the Eagleton Institute of Politics Undergraduate Associate program after realizing the value of this program from Rutgers students in the Rutgers Scarlet Service in DC cohort.

She wasn’t sure that she would fit in as an ITI major, despite her other advocacy work, but was encouraged to apply and was accepted.

Students in the program take a seminar course during the last three semesters of their Rutgers undergraduate career.

“Eagleton has been great, and the people there are so supportive. And they really stressed the importance of civic engagement, which is truly valuable and interesting to learn about,” she said.

Srivastava is currently taking the first Eagleton course this semester and is the only ITI major in the cohort.

“While I do feel imposter syndrome sometimes, I know that I’m learning something new. And it’s really benefiting me at the end of the day as well,” she said.

Even with all of her work outside of her major, Srivastava has consistently been inspired by the faculty at SC&I and said she has “appreciated connecting” with them, especially Warren Allen, director of the ITI Program, who spoke at a FIGS (First-Year Interest Group Seminar) course that she had the opportunity of teaching.

In addition, she was an Orientation Leader at Rutgers, and loves to inspire others while still learning plenty of new things herself.

As a heavily involved student, Srivastava said when it comes to preferred methods of time management, she utilizes resources such as Google Calendar for visualizing her class schedule and Google Tasks for listing assignments, but mentioned that physically writing down tasks with a pen and notebook is also very helpful.

She stressed the importance of self-care, taking the time to see friends, and enjoying the scenery of Rutgers.

Some of the best advice she has received is to make a priority to get involved in three things outside academics, that she heard from another orientation leader.

“Do one thing that relates to your major or your academic discipline, one thing you like to do for fun, and one thing you're passionate about,” she said.

She advises students not to be afraid to ask professors for their insights on how to manage their specific courses- whether it’s going to office hours or scheduling a coffee chat with them.

For her upcoming last undergraduate year, she wants to be able to take more ITI electives as she finishes up her major and will be participating in either an internship with a non-profit organization or a congressional office.

After she graduates, she aims to work in the fields of user interface and user experience or project management, and eventually would like to work at non-profit health organizations to continue her advocacy.

Learn more about the  Information Technology and Informatics major at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.

Photo and video: Courtesy of Yashi Srivastava ITI’25