On May 12, 2022 at the first in-person graduation SC&I has held since 2019, SC&I Student Representative Arielle Yu delivered remarks to her classmates, their families, and guests – nearly 4,000 people – who had gathered at Jersey Mike’s Arena on the Livingston Campus to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2022.

Yu, an Information Technology and Informatics major and Critical Intelligence Studies minor who was nominated to serve as class speaker by a SC&I faculty member, in recognition of her work with the ITI Student Council and her academic record, told her classmates, “It’s been a challenging and unprecedented last few years for all of us. Now, I’m sure that everyone is tired of hearing that word, unprecedented. But, I think it’s one of the best words to describe our time here at Rutgers. Not only because of COVID, but because that's what life is like in college in general . . . These specific unprecedented times will be a key part of our separate journeys into what's next and continued growth. But that’s adulting for you I guess, continuing to be filled with things that you’ve never done or known before, just on a slightly bigger scale.”

I think that one of the best parts of the ITI program is how applicable it is— not only are there more than plenty of electives available at SC&I alone, but the major/program is incredibly flexible and customizable; there is absolutely no limit to the number of majors and minors that it can be paired with in order to create diverse portfolios and projects, as well as the unique skill sets that can be developed.

As an undergraduate, Yu interned at The Center on Policing and the Global 16 Days Campaign, she was a Research Fellow at the National Intelligence University, she served as Sisterhood Director at her sorority, and as the Social Media Manager for the Information Technology and Informatics Student Council.

In our Q&A with Yu, who has accepted a position working for ICF, a consulting company, as an agile associate, tells SC&I the reasons why she chose to major in ITI, how it helped her achieve her goals, the ways she was able to balance her schedule at SC&I, and her advice for students contemplating the major.

SC&I: Did you arrive at Rutgers planning to major in ITI?

AY: When I first started at Rutgers, I was actually set on being a computer science major. As an incoming and then freshman, I thought that this program would be the most helpful in achieving my goals. However, I found it much more difficult than I anticipated; my time in these early courses really made me reflect on what I wanted and after plenty of research into other programs that are available, I stumbled upon ITI. What really stood out to me about the ITI program was the way it seemed to combine technical skills with softer skills in all of its courses; it was a great way for me to continue to learn different coding languages but also what areas they would be useful in like cybersecurity, design, project management, etc.

SC&I: What did you enjoy the most about the ITI Program?

AY: I think that one of the best parts of the ITI program is how applicable it is— not only are there more than plenty of electives available at SC&I alone, but the major/program is incredibly flexible and customizable; there is absolutely no limit to the number of majors and minors that it can be paired with in order to create diverse portfolios and projects, as well as the unique skill sets that can be developed. While I personally combined the data analytics and management pathway with my minor in Critical Intelligence Studies, the ITI program allowed me to meet people of different backgrounds and interests. Just within the program, I made friends who were on completely different paths with amazing goals and the most interesting coursework under their belt!

SC&I: How did the faculty at SC&I help you achieve your academic goals?

AY: The faculty at SC&I were always incredibly welcoming. Every professor and staff member that I encountered at SC&I was always willing to answer the endless number of questions that I could come up with before, during, and after I spoke with them whether it was in person, phone call, or email. The SC&I faculty were there to guide me when I felt lost and was doubting myself or the path I was on; they were always there to help me and make sure that I was doing what was best for me, pushing me to take interesting classes that could help boost my resume/interests or to pick a project/research topic that I thought might be too much. Dr. Warren Allen, the director of the ITI Program, was especially helpful when I was a junior and senior— whether it was with the ITI Student Council or simply as a student who had questions that needed answers, he was always there to respond to an email or meet with me via Zoom to help me.

SC&I: What advice can you offer prospective ITI majors?

AY: The best advice I can offer is to put yourself out there! As cliché as it is, you are only going to get out as much as you are willing to put in. I found that with the ITI program being as applicable and customizable as it is that you have to be willing to explore. So don’t be afraid to try something new like taking a class you have never heard of, joining an organization because you’re passionate about its mission/values, or talking to different people. Everything that you do and try will help you grow and achieve your goals!

SC&I: How did being part of the leadership in the Information Technology and Informatics Student Council help you achieve your goals?

AY: Prior to my junior year (2020-2021), the Information Technology and Informatics Student Council was not particularly active. During COVID and virtual learning, I served as part of the executive board that was looking to revive the organization for our program and its students. Having seen the impact it made on the students, I was very excited to work in another position for my final year at Rutgers as Vice President. I think that prior to my experiences on the executive board I had very little experience in terms of leadership. But working with the ITI Student Council, I found that I was really able to hone in on my public speaking, time management, and communication skills; I found a certain confidence in myself behind the screen on Zoom that I was able to extend to in-person meetings and discussions once we returned to campus! Working with the rest of the executive board really pushed me past my comfort zone in these areas, showing me that I am capable of doing them.

I think for the Class of 2022, the pandemic has shown us that we are capable of adapting and overcoming any obstacles that come up in our lives; we were able to transition between online learning, hybrid situations, and back to relative normalcy on campus without fail.

SC&I: How did you balance your extremely demanding schedule? Can you share your best time management skills?

AY: It was definitely tough at certain points! But I found that using a planner and creating a to-do list (or just a general list) were the most helpful for me in making sure that I was able to complete any upcoming assignments, tasks, and projects. I always made sure to take Saturday night or Sunday morning to sit down and work through everything that needed to be done for particular days of the week. Based on due dates and deadlines, I was able to breakdown what exactly needed to be done for my courses, internships, and the sorority. However, I think it was also important that I made time for breaks and socializing. Whether this was having dinner with my sorority sisters, drinking tea and running errands with my roommates, or hanging out with my boyfriend, I made sure that I also had time for things that were fun and gave me a moment to relax.

SC&I: How did you get through two years of remote classes during the COVID-19 pandemic?

AY: I’m not going to lie or sugarcoat it and say that two years of remote classes was easy for me. While plenty of students loved virtual learning and what it entailed, I found that it was quite difficult for me personally. The lack of socialization that I would normally get from interacting in classes and as I walked on campus had a really big impact on me, especially as my sister had been able to move into her dorm and I was at home for the first year. I think what really helped me was staying in touch with a select few people and friends that I know were there for me. My family was also very supportive of any decisions and choices that I was making, knowing that they were what I needed.

SC&I: Do you have a sense of what kind of lasting impact the pandemic might have on the Rutgers Class of 2022?

AY: I think for the Class of 2022, the pandemic has shown us that we are capable of adapting and overcoming any obstacles that come up in our lives; we were able to transition between online learning, hybrid situations, and back to relative normalcy on campus without fail. I think that in the long run, the pandemic has instilled a certain confidence in us and our abilities, whether that’s using Zoom/similar platforms or understanding when a mental break needs to be taken.

SC&I: What are your plans for now and into the future?

AY: My immediate plans for the future include working at ICF, a consulting company, as an agile associate. I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter and figuring out new routines that will best fit this change in lifestyle! But beyond that and continuing to grow, I have no definitive plans. All I know is that as I move into the future I want to focus on creating a balance between work, home, and my social life to ensure that I am happy, safe, and healthy. It will definitely take some adjusting to, but I know that I have the continued support of my friends and family in whatever I choose for my future. 

Discover more about the Information Technology and Informatics(ITI) major at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website. 

Photo credits:
Top: Mel Evans
Middle: Courtesy of Arielle Yu ITI'22