I am a fourth year Electrical Engineering major from Los Angeles. For me, the all-around environment of UCLA really stood out. You have some of the most rigorous academics and arts mixed with some of the best sports teams in the nation all wrapped into a spirited environment, both in Westwood and the rest of Los Angeles. I chose UCLA because I felt that it was going to provide me the opportunity to further all of my interests both in engineering and beyond. At UCLA you can make the most of your experience through clubs, student groups, and connecting with people with different perspectives. CEED has helped immensely in providing me opportunities in the community where I can be successful as an engineer. With counseling sessions to help structure classes, tutoring nights to help with classes, and corporate round tables to connect with professionals and recruiters. CEED has truly shaped my career as a successful engineer.

I’m from Lima, Perú, and I moved to California eight years ago. I transferred from East Los Angeles College (ELAC) in fall 2021. I’m a third-year non-traditional transfer student majoring in Mechanical Engineering class of 2024. One of the things that stood out to me about UCLA was its engineering clubs. I’ve gained much hands-on experience through their clubs and have had the opportunity to connect with diverse people. I chose UCLA because of its Engineering Transfer program, which allowed me to build my network through its summer workshops. In addition to this, the CEED program made me feel welcome and helped me build a sense of community with the Summer program. Most of my close friends are also CEED students. Another factor that influenced my decision was its location; I wanted to be exposed to a new environment that was not my own but still close to my family in Downey. The CEED program has been very supportive throughout my experience at UCLA. Thanks to them, I was able to have constant support through the stressful enrollment dates and have resume reviews that allowed me to secure my first summer internship last year.

Hello! I am from Burkina Faso (West Africa). I transferred from San Bernardino Valley College in the Fall of 2020. My major is Civil Engineering. The civil engineering program is what stood out to me the most. Before attending, I have heard from many sources that UCLA professors are highly experienced and that some of them work/ have built businesses in the field they teach. This was very important to me because outside of class I wanted to learn about what actually happens on the field and I was able to experience that through a couple of my professors. Before choosing UCLA, I was more inclined to choose UC Berkeley which also had a great engineering program. What made the difference for me was how involved people at UCLA were. Even before confirming my choice, different programs reached out to me for mentorship programs, clubs on campus, etc. Finally, UCLA had more opportunities and resources to help students succeed. This college does not only focus on educational excellence but also works on post-graduation success. Working at the CEED office, I have acquired professional experience that is still serving me today. Also, through the CEED events, I had the opportunity to connect with a lot of companies representative. I have learned to tailor my resume based on companies’ demand for the best representation of myself and finally how to effectively sell myself during a potential interview.

Now, I work for the LADOT as a Transportation Engineering Associate at the Signal Design section. To generalize what I do, I design signal plans for intersections. Let’s say that a particular intersection needs a protected left turn signal. My role is to propose where that signal will be implanted based on field checks and investigations that allows me to know the real condition of that intersection. I am also currently working on passing my EIT exam, which I encourage every student to take as soon as possible.