Nuhamin Tassu is a fourth-year technology and information management (TIM) major at the Baskin School of Engineering. Tassu initially intended to major in politics, but switched to TIM during her freshman year after she discovered an interest in technology and information science. She’s held multiple internships, including on-campus with the MESA program and off-campus with Amazon Web Services. She plans to finish her coursework in fall 2022 while studying abroad in Europe or South Africa.
What piqued your interest in pursuing the technology and information management (TIM) program at Baskin Engineering?
My decision to join TIM was based on wanting to join the tech industry. Knowing that Baskin Engineering offered this major worked out great because I would get a mixture of programming, economics, and business management classes, which I think will be really beneficial in the long run, regardless of which career path I choose. Also, I knew I wanted to study at UCSC after visiting my sister several times, who is a former student. I fell in love with the campus and the close-knit community that UCSC offers.
Tell me about your participation with the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP).
I was a part of the CUIP last academic year. As part of the program, you get placed with a student-focused program on campus. I was placed with the Baskin Engineering Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program and mentored by academic counselor Jennifer Wood. As a MESA intern, I helped with projects and events. I did the programming for about nine events throughout the year. I also helped advise students on which classes to take and helped them build their class schedules. After my internship ended, my mentor hired me, so I’ve been working with MESA this year as well, but this time as an employee. It’s been a lot of fun.
Tell me about your internship with Amazon Web Services.
I started this past summer. I’m a professional services intern, where I get to do consulting and project management. I worked closely with my mentor and upper management, collaborating on various projects. Even though it was a fully remote position, I was lucky to get the chance to visit the New York office for a short time at the end of the internship and meet fellow interns. My internship ended before fall quarter started, but I have the opportunity to return to that same role after I graduate.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I would like to work for Amazon full time and then possibly later on pursue a dual graduate program, where I can work and go to school at the same time. The graduate program would build off of my TIM undergraduate degree.
What’s your favorite memory at Baskin Engineering?
I would say being in the library with other students and sharing that same energy and connection when it comes to studying for midterms and finals. It’s always easy to find someone in your class to study with and de-stress a bit together.
Interview Date: November 15, 2021