Shivam Singh, engineering adviser: A second-year graduate student of machine learning and data science at the Jacobs School of Engineering, Singh became a CPP adviser with the twin goals of helping students and for his own personal growth. The program has lived up to his expectations on both fronts.
Singh fields questions from high schoolers on a variety of engineering-related topics – about differences between aerospace and mechanical engineering, on the math classes that will give them an edge in getting into UC San Diego, about internships and college essays. He recently worked with a student who needed help with the PIQs (personal insight questions) section of his UC college application.
“I am getting to help students and I am working with such amazing team members,” Singh said. “I get to interact with many people across the university and grow my network.”
Zihan Xu, health advisor: For Xu, a third-year student majoring in cognitive science and molecular biology, her work as a CPP adviser is personal. As the daughter of immigrants who had little idea about the ins and outs of the college admission process, Xu understands and empathizes with high schoolers in similar circumstances. She recounted some of the questions that crop up frequently in her advising sessions via Zoom.
“They want to know about different types of doctors, internships and getting into research,” Xu said. “There are also many who come to me not knowing much or what they want to aim for, and I try to help them realize what they want to be.”
She also advises students who come in with a very specific goal.
“I am working with a student who is really interested in being a doctor and specializing in oncology,” said Xu, who works in an oncology lab. “I am sharing with him several papers to read.”
Damaris Martinez, education adviser: Though new to her role as a CPP advisor, Martinez is no stranger to supporting high school students. She has worked in the university’s Office of Academic Support & Instructional Services (OASIS) as well as Cal-SOAP. She said her belief in the value of education led her to apply for the CPP role. “I am an advocate for having a goal after high school and I am excited to help high school students figure that out.”
Martinez said her goal is to encourage others from her background to seek higher education.
“I grew up in a Mexican household and for me it’s really important to see other people of my background in school,” she said. “That’s what motivates me. I want them to pursue something bigger than what they think they are capable of. I want to reach out to the students who don’t seem interested at all. Eventually they will start believing in themselves.”
Zoya Hasan, business adviser: Third-year student Zoya Hasan applied for her job as CPP adviser because she has always been passionate about business and enjoys working with students.
“When I learned about CPP, it felt like the perfect way to combine both interests – helping students navigate their career paths while sharing my knowledge and experience in business,” she said.
Hasan, a data science major with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation, develops content to present to students by doing diligent research and staying up-to-date on business news, trends and campus resources. She maintains connections with UC San Diego’s various business groups as well as EAOP.
In her conversations, Hasan clarifies students’ uncertainties about college and careers. She answers questions on various topics such as courses to take to major in business, career paths in the field and about the college admission process. “After having a one-on-one advising session with a student who was conflicted about her college choice, she followed up with me to share her decision and expressed gratitude for our conversation about the business programs at each institution, which helped support her choice”