Savannah Mojica

She/Her/Hers

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

Being a first-generation college graduate means that I was able to complete something as big as a college degree, without having someone to guide me through each of the challenges I was faced with. Because of this, being a first-generation graduate means that I am able to persevere, and that I can accomplish anything I want to do.

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

My proudest moment was getting my first internship opportunity. Prior to landing my internship, I was very self conscious about my ability to succeed in such a rigorous major as mine. Many of my peers talked about having their own internship experiences which cast a lot of self-doubt when I couldn't get a company or organization to give me a chance. When I was finally able to land my dream internship, it not only made me feel like I had made it to the next level in my college career, but that I could achieve great things as long as I kept putting in my full effort.

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

Some advice I would give to other first-gen students is that we all have to work twice, sometimes three times as hard as our peers, but accepting that this is the case and going after a college degree in spite of it is the first step towards making things happen and realizing your goals.

• 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 biggest supporters throughout my college journey have been my family: mom, papi, my sister and my grandparents. I've also been fortunate enough to have kept my friends from high school who although didn't attend the same university as me, were able to keep me grounded and remind me that life can not and should not revolve around school (even at UCSD). They have all helped me in understanding that off-time is important in maintaining balance in my life, and have made my college experience better because of their 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?

Although at the beginning of my college career I was apprehensive about being a part of the Student Success Coaching Program, I have come to love being a part of a mentorship team that has provided me with so many opportunities over the last four years. My mentors Noel and Moises both played huge roles in my success, particularly in the advice they each gave me in my pursuit of an internship.

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

My short term plan upon graduating is to participate in my second internship and spend some time doing things I've wanted to do for the last four years but didn't have the time to do. Long term I hope to get a job in the engineering field so I can make enough money to travel and buy my own house.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Society of Women Engineers

• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department Tutor

• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department Reader

• Empowerment and Development for Girls in Engineering (EDGE) Outreach Program

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Student Success Coaching Program

• Tri-Alpha (Alpha Alpha Alpha) First-Generation Honor Society