For Adriana Guzman, Management Information Systems (MIS) rising senior, receiving a scholarship recognizing future leaders in technology and business was more than financial support—it was a moment of validation.
The Society of Information Management Women Scholarship brought Guzman to a networking reception last month attended by executives and industry leaders from startup and Fortune 500 companies alike, giving Guzman the opportunity to connect directly with professionals working in fields she hopes to enter after graduation.
Walking into a room filled with CEOs and senior leaders could have felt intimidating, but instead, Guzman found an atmosphere that was welcoming and encouraging. “They made me feel like I belonged there,” she said. “Everybody was willing to talk, answer questions, and really get to know us.”
The event reinforced Guzman’s confidence in the path she has chosen. After spending the evening surrounded by leaders in her field, one thought stayed at the forefront of her mind. “There it really hit me: ‘I’m in.’”
The scholarship reception capped off an extremely productive semester for Guzman. On top of maintaining solid grades, Guzman became involved with one of Power On Heels’ leadership programs and balanced a job with Amazon, a peer mentor role here at the university, and involvement with two student organizations, Association of Latino Professionals for America and Student Organization for Management Information Systems. She also won a UHD First-Generation Trailblazer Leadership Award.
Through coursework, networking events, and involvement on campus, Guzman has thoughtfully expanded both her technical knowledge and professional confidence. Guzman credits her success thus far to the momentum that she built off the Ted Bauer Scholarship Program, explaining, “Everything really rolled from a little snowball to an avalanche of success, starting with Ted Bauer. You can only get as much out of the program as much as you invest into it. Showing up, volunteering, talking to people, and always following up and nurturing connections is really what has led me to all my opportunities.”
Up next, Guzman is headed to Paris and London to fulfill a two-week business course with the university, at the end of which she’ll attend the World AI Summit London. Once she’s back, Guzman will start an internship at Constellation Energy, which Zoe Smith, assistant director of College Career Services, helped her land.
As she enters her final year of studies, Guzman hopes to keep building relationships and explore the many directions an MIS degree can lead.