Name: Nathan Shih (he/him)
Bellevue College Graduation Year: 2019
Degree/School: Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Washington
Occupation: Energy Business Analyst, Amazon Web Services
Why joined the STEM to Stern program at BC: When I came to Bellevue College, I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation or even what to study.
Long-term benefits to join STEM: The STEM to Stern program helped me explore potential career options, connected me with industry professionals, and provided opportunities to get real-world experience. However, the best thing about the STEM to Stern program is the supportive community and opportunities like NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) that helped me build my self-confidence when it was at an all-time low — showing me that I am just as capable as others who started off at more prestigious schools.
Advice for current/future STEM students: 1) Apply to everything that seems remotely interesting even if it isn’t directly related to your major. Any experience is a good experience and can help you figure out what you enjoy and what you don’t. 2) Talk to people! Don’t underestimate the power of connections.
Hobbies: Skiing and bouldering!
Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn!
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Name: Brandae Grein (she/her)
Bellevue College Graduation Year: 2020
Degree/School: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Occupation: Junior Software Engineer, Leaftail Labs
Why joined the STEM to Stern program at BC: STEM to Stern has increased my self-esteem/confidence, industry connections, and a portfolio project that was a combined practice run for my capstone project and a great addition to my resume upon graduation.
Advice for current/future STEM students: 1) Grab every opportunity presented to you, even if it seems ridiculous or you aren’t sure that it will connect you to where you want to go. 2) Learn to take your time. You don’t need to know everything right off the bat. 3) Just start asking. It took a long time for me to get comfortable asking without feeling ashamed, but I am so glad I did. Now not only do I know things that I might not have known before, but I also built strong friendships with the people I asked — and eventually, they started asking me questions, too.
Hobbies: Playing video games, being the dungeon master for D&D with friends, and watching the sunset with the household goat, Lucky!
Connect with Brandae on LinkedIn!
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Name: Kiseuk Anh
Bellevue College Graduation Year: 2021
Degree/School: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineer, Transferred to Standford University in 2021
Occupation: 1) Electric Aircraft Propulsion Intern at NASA Glenn Research Center, 2) Undergraduate Machine Learning Research Assistant at Stanford Graduate School of Business
Why joined the STEM to Stern program at BC: When I think about the STEM to Stern program, I can think of many long-term benefits, such as drafting an effective resume and personal essays, meeting and networking with real-world professionals, and working on the hands-on project as a group. However, the biggest one would be meeting with a professor who helped me continue pursuing challenging endeavors. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. From being a professor, a mentor, and sometimes a friend, they’ve been people to whom I can wholeheartedly speak.
Advice for current/future STEM students: With brilliant minds and passionate hearts, you all are coming together to form a competitive yet collaborative community. Never be afraid of reaching out to your classmates, professors, or anyone you can think of for help, assistance. Whether that be a personal project or the courses you are taking, it’s OK to fail and sometimes give up.
Quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S. Churchill.
Hobbies: Swimming, taking a walk with my father
Connect with Ki on LinkedIn!
Last Updated February 21, 2022
