How did you become involved with TECH CORPS?
I got involved with TECH CORPS in 2016, right before high school. My parents found a coding camp and encouraged me to join. I remember the instructors being open and encouraging us to ask questions. That helped me feel more comfortable not knowing everything upfront—it taught me how to start from scratch and build confidence as I learned.

How did the TECH CORPS programs help shape your interest in technology?
That camp gave me my first look at HTML and opened the door to tech. Later, when it came time to choose a career path, I was much more open to coding and tech-related fields because of that early exposure.

As a Techie Camp instructor, how did being a student first help you work with students?
Being a TECH CORPS student helped a lot. I know how it feels to walk into a space and not know anything yet. That experience made me more patient and empathetic. I try to create a space where students feel safe asking questions, just like my instructors did for me.

What advice would you give your high school self?
Don’t be afraid to try something new—even if it feels unfamiliar or outside your comfort zone. You don’t have to know everything before you begin. Just take the first step and be open to learning along the way. That one step could open a door you never saw coming.

How have the skills you gained helped you in your education?
Now that I’m studying mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University, I’ve had to learn several coding languages. Thanks to TECH CORPS, coding doesn’t feel intimidating—it’s familiar. The experience also taught me how to problem-solve and work through challenges, which I rely on daily in school.