Nicholas Smith

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

Being a first-generation college graduate means the world to me. Growing up, I knew that college was something I would eventually work towards but actually getting to graduate and make that dream come true is even more riveting.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

My proudest moment at UCSD was this past quarter in completing my 10-week long capstone Data Science project.

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

My family, my friends, and my incredible fiance have been the most positive influences in my life. Getting through the last four years would have never happened without their out pour of support.

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

There have been a handful of amazing professors throughout these last fours years at UCSD that have inspired me to keep moving forward despite how difficult things got. Whether it was daunting homework assignments or impossible exams, they were always the ones who inspired me to keep working harder.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

I'll be continuing my current software job for about a year and then looking to attend a Masters program in Aerospace Engineering focusing on simulation, modeling, and software development.