As an LSAMP Scholar, Kendra shares that she not only had great STEM Peer Teachers who helped her in the Precalculus to Calculus courses, but she made many new friends. She also learned a lot about herself. Soon after Kendra began working as an LSAMP Peer Mentor for first and second year STEM majors, she realized that could be a mentor to her peers, and she loved every minute of it. While at CSU, she worked many different on-campus employment positions and fondly recalls that she enjoyed working in the Information Services & Technology department as well as the Library Systems department.

Kendra graduated in Spring 2019 with a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Information Science and a minor in Mathematics. Today, she works as a Help Desk Analyst for PPG Industries. Her main duties are maintaining and installing the company’s software. She also helps assist anyone who is using the software. Kendra says that although she hoped to be doing web development, she is happy with her current position and everything she is learning and doing. She is grateful for CSU because of the many things she learned, the people she met, and the skills she acquired which she never thought possible. She loved every moment of her experience at CSU and is a very proud LSAMP Scholar and CSU alumna.

Myles Davis began his college career in the fall of 2015 at Cleveland State University. As a student, Myles did not plan on working his first year in college. However, some of his SPT’s had noticed his potential and thus reached to him to ask if he would join operation STEM. Knowing he was very shy but also good with math, Myles accepted the invitation and began his second semester as a Precalculus ll SPT.

In the end, Myles loved every second he had with OpSTEM and enjoyed meeting so many new people. While in college, Myles held an internship with the Department of Public Utilities, specifically in the water department. He says that this internship was very insightful and that he had lots of fun working here. Myles graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science and a minor in mathematics.

Today, he works as a Software Engineer for MRI (Management Reports Incorporated) Software. Here, Myles does product development where he analyzes new product codes as well as fixes bugs and any other underlying issues. Myles says that he did not have very specific goals or hopes for after graduation except one: To be happy. He says that although this goal may sound cliche, all he wants is to be happy with his career choice. In his current line of work Myles says that he is still learning, but is 100% happy with his decision.

Kevin Kerchenski began attending Cleveland State University in the fall of 2015. Two weeks before his first semester began, Kevin participated in the Operation STEM Summer Institute. Kevin’s potential to become a STEM Peer Teacher (SPT) was noticed during his second semester. In Fall 2016, Kevin began working as a Calculus l SPT. For the near 3 years as an SPT, Kevin says that it was always rewarding to give back and help out.

Kevin graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. He chose to go into this genre of engineering because growing up he always “liked to see things come together.” He also realized that since mechanical engineering is a broad field, there would be many possibilities of what he could do with his degree.

Today, Kevin works for Lincoln Electric in Euclid, Ohio. He is currently in a year-long training program in which he rotates through each department of the company for 2-4 weeks and works on a specific project. He says that being in the workforce is much like his schooling at Cleveland State; working in groups, collaborating on projects and having deadlines. All in all, Kevin thoroughly enjoyed his 4 years at Cleveland State University. He says that although it is a small college, the degree you earn at CSU can compete with students who major in engineering at the Ohio State University and similar larger colleges.

Gabrijela Uskokovic points out late nights studying, free food events on campus, and meeting long-term friends at the OpSTEM summer program as being some of her favorite memories from her time at Cleveland State. She also mentions the fun of exploring Cleveland and how her OpSTEM tutors in MTH 167/168/181 supported and taught her. After being accepted into the 4+1 program, Gabi started graduate school in January 2018 and graduated with her M.S. in electrical engineering in December 2018. For Gabi, even without her schooling being accelerated for the 4+1 program, there was a rough patch—during her hardest semester, a medical emergency left her in a wheelchair and on oxygen after being pulled out of classes for two weeks. She asserts that if she could make it through that, she could make it through anything!

At her current position, Gabi finds it rewarding to learn from her experienced coworkers. As she describes, "Their willingness to explain processes, train, and help with any questions is impeccable." This is especially valuable because the most challenging aspect of her position— and many others—is the application of textbook material to real-world situations. OpSTEM and CSU prepared her for this in tandem, however, as she explains that both taught her time management, problem solving in difficult situations, how to challenge herself daily, and how to reach out when she needs help.

Gabi gives this advice to STEM students: you can accomplish whatever you put your mind to; keep trekking, even when it gets hard; and listen to others when they recommend a certain professor!

Catreece Jones' time at Cleveland State was an essential part of her journey and growth; originally from Buffalo, New York, early on she often stressed about her distance from home. She also found it difficult to be disciplined on her own. However, she soon learned that she didn't have to be "on her own"—her friends and mentor helped her feel comfortable in Cleveland, and she became less and less overwhelmed. Catreece describes her best times at CSU being the "very long nights" she had doing homework and studying with other OpSTEM Scholars on campus. She asserts that OpSTEM was huge in preparing her for any position, not just the one she's in now. The things she appreciated most, she says, were the one-on-one meetings about resumes, mock interviews, and the other workshops focused on applying for jobs. Regarding her current position, Catreece is grateful that she has the opportunity to constantly grow and learn. This learning is something vital to her work—you can't fake business sense, she feels. Away from the rigors of classes and in the "real world," Catreece says that she enjoys having so much free time. If she could go back, she says she'd have joined more STEM student organizations early on because connections and friendships with the right people can really shape your success.

Her advice to current STEM students is to attend every class, make friends and take notes in each of those classes, and see professors during office hours. Lastly, she says, "Don't give up! I know it sounds cliché, but if I can do it, so can you!"

Austin Cassil describes OpSTEM as a bright spot at CSU; he enjoyed the opportunities for meeting others and developing his education. He also mentioned attending CAB's Glow Party and Halloween party. While he was an SPT as well as before it, he often spent time in the Drop-In Study Center interacting with peers and exchanging knowledge. Communication skills specifically, he says, have helped him when hosting meetings and in myriad situations at work.

Austin appreciates the encouraging nature of Sherwin-Williams, his current employer, and how it soothes the occasional lack of confidence felt when he is given very technical work. He shares this wisdom: "Ultimately, I must remember that if I wasn't properly equipped for the role, I would not have been offered the position." The focus on employee growth at his position is something he finds important, as well, and how he is able to approach challenges often and learn from them. Applying the skills he has learned from schooling and his co-op with the same company is very satisfying! To STEM students, Austin has simple, but powerful advice: don't give up.