Well-rounded programmer
Meredith came to Northwestern from Denver eager to major in computer science and play soccer and tennis. She appreciated the ability to find a balance with school studies, athletics and friendships. And she excelled, earning Scholar-Athlete honors and graduating Cum Laude. She says her professors understood her passion for soccer and tennis and went the extra mile to help her succeed in both classes and athletics.
What does your job involve?
I design and implement enterprise applications. I work with clients to create and refine requirements, as well as to design a functional solution to meet those requirements.
How well did Northwestern prepare you for your career?
Not only did Northwestern teach me the basics of software development, but it helped provide me with the abilities to prioritize tasks, communicate effectively and collaborate with my peers. The small computer science classes were helpful because I felt comfortable asking my professors questions and seeking clarification on difficult concepts.
What do you feel you gained the most from your NWC experience?
I wasn’t sure what to expect with college soccer, but my teammates quickly turned into my closest friends and continue to be people who inspire me daily. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunities to make lasting memories and friendships as a Northwestern Raider on and off the field.
What are Northwestern’s professors like?
Caring. Understanding. Available. The ability to build relationships with professors is one of the biggest things I appreciate about Northwestern. I would stop in my professors’ offices frequently to clarify programming concepts. They truly care about you, your education and your success.
Did you do an internship?
I had summer internships before my junior and senior years. I would recommend seeking an internship to any college student. Not only do you get real-world experience, but you are able to confirm if that’s really what you want to do after graduation. Because of my summer internship with Accenture, I felt more confident in my decision to begin a full-time career here.
What are some of your favorite memories from NWC?
Definitely traveling to away games with the soccer team. We always managed to make the bus rides memorable. I will never forget learning “Hey Cow” on the bus ride to North Dakota my freshman year. (You yell “Hey Cow” at cows while driving by and count how many cows turn their heads. Amazing, right?)
What led you to pursue a computer science major?
Technology always fascinated me, and I knew those skills were much in demand. Computer science is a very male-dominated major, but my hope is that with the presence of more female technology role models, more girls will pursue technology studies in college.
