Amio Das

He/Him/His

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

Being a first generation graduate to means that a unseen cycle has been broken. I am referring to the conditions that keep others from being a first generation graduate. If those who you are around, have no interest in higher education, it is hard to see the benefits and influence that someone can have with the connections, resources and a degree. I know college is not meant for everyone, but it does provide a foundation and connections that may be very important in the future. Being the first generation in my whole family to graduate in the US makes it much more likely for the generations to come to pursue something great and something that can influence a lot more people. This means I am taking a step to make this country move towards equity for minorities who are often ignored due to their overall lack of influence.

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

My proudest moment can't be described by one event, however it is a collection of many small decisions I made to keep moving when times were tough. Many times throughout college I felt that things were getting out of my control and I felt lost in terms of what my future will be. However despite the setbacks, I had the strength to pick myself up and get help. I had the strength to tell myself that I can keep going and that I will ultimately succeed if I just do my best.

• What advice do you have for current or future first-generation students?

My biggest takeaway from being a first generation student in UCSD was to not be afraid to reach out for help. Please don't be afraid to join organizations, whether it is cultural or just resource focused, that are there as a resource for students who are in a tough spot in terms of finding support for navigating college. This doesn't make you any less valuable than those who already knew what to expect because of their background. These resources, like OASIS or Raza or BSU or whatever it may be, are now here because of great first generation efforts to help y'all. Most importantly don't think yourself any smaller than anyone else who attends your institution because everyone is here with the same merit and those who made it with less, seriously deserve more praise.

• 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?

The most influential people who supported me to get into college would be my parents and my mentors from Upward Bound during high school. During college, I had mentors and tutors from SSSP as well as support from OASIS workshops to keep me aloft. Of course I have worked hard myself to get to where I am, but the support I received from them was much needed for me since I didn't have much else to lean on. I am also very lucky to have an understanding and supportive group of friends that I had the pleasure of knowing in the Muir Cultural House, you know who you are. All I can now say is I can't express my gratitude enough to all these folks. I will do you all justice and keep moving to become my best self and use any influence I have for those in my position.

• 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?

The most influential people at UC San Diego were my mentors from SSSP and more specifically Kimberly and Juliette. They are amazingly humble role models who really listened to my thoughts, helped carry some of my burden and motivated me to keep going. I would also like to show my thanks to the mentors from GEAR and TRELS who aided me to get my hands in research, educated me about the world of academia and allowed me to work with Dr. Gravish and James who are amazing researchers and a valuable mentor to me.

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

After graduating I will be working as for a Mechanical Engineering position at a matured startup. I hope to learn my way through the real adult life and gain experience from this first job to later decide whether I will find a more ambitious project (like those involving traveling to Mars) or go back for my masters.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Member, Tau Beta Pi

• Analysis team lead, Rocket Propulsion Laboratory

• Tutor, SSSP-OASIS

• Alumni, GEAR (Guided Engineering Apprenticeship in Research);

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Academic Enrichment Programs - TRELS

• OASIS - TRIO Student Support Services Program