She’d received a lot of messaging that led her to believe that her present skill set strictly defined her future. The lack of support for her aspirations and disbelief in her abilities that she sensed were even more daunting.Īfter her first co-op, O’Connor was reconsidering her career path. O’Connor faced challenges early in her college career, but the most discouraging were not in the technical skills realm. The struggles I faced inspired me to focus my college career on serving women in engineering,” O’Connor said. “I have been fortunate to have some incredible co-op experiences, but I acknowledge that many students, especially women and other underrepresented identities, may face many barriers to having the same experience.
She also works hard to make the co-op experience more inclusive and transformative for other women in the college through her research, service and mentorship. O’Connor hasn’t just made the most of co-op for herself. "I know my college career would not have been what it was if it weren't for the support of other women in computing." "Attending the conferences was a game changer for me," said O'Connor. She secured positions at both companies through career fairs she attended at Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing conferences. O'Connor, who will earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Computer Science this spring through the Accelerated Engineering Degree (ACCEND) Program, has already worked for two of the top employers in her field: Apple and Tesla. O’Connor was recently honored with the 2021 Herman Schneider Medal, which is awarded annually to a graduating senior in the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science for distinction as an exemplary co-op student - one who has taken fullest advantage of the unique opportunities of cooperative education.
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