ASU graduate thankful for hard classes and lessons in diversity

Sandy Chen, a recent computer information systems and business management graduate from Yuma, said she has a lot to be thankful for when it comes to her experience at ASU. She said she found her passion for her major and also loved meeting so many people of different backgrounds along the way.

“I would just like to thank ASU for the endless opportunities. I’m really really glad that I chose ASU and have been given so many opportunities to reinvent and develop myself more, not only as a young professional but also as a human being.” 

 During her time at ASU, Chen learned the importance of understanding diversity.

Sandy Chen, a recent computer information systems and business management graduate from Yuma, flashes a smile.

As a community assistant for Vista del Sol, Chen discovered how diverse her environment at ASU really was. 

“I think my biggest takeaway from it was that there are so many people from different backgrounds,” she said.

Chen worked hard to ensure that residents had her support even if they did not need it.

 “I think what I’ve learned is that you never know what people are going through and sometimes they might not tell you and you ask and that's totally OK. You still have to be a kind human and always offer your support whenever you can, and however much support that is, you will always help someone else.”

Chen was involved with many organizations on campus. She was involved with Devil's Advocates, Business Ambassadors, the Department of Informations club, Omega Phi Alpha and Barrett, The Honors College. She was also a copy editor and media specialist for ASU’s English Department. 

Chen is also the recipient of six different scholarships, including the New American University Provost's scholarship, the Student FA Trust Grant, the Richard Malone CIS Scholarship, the Kim Komando CIS scholarship, the Hispanic Business Alumni Scholarship Endowment and the State Farm Annual Scholars Program WPC.  

After graduation,Chen began working full-time with the United Health Group under the company's technology and development program. She hopes to learn more about software engineering, databases, data analysis and more. Post-graduation, Chen paused to reflect on her time at ASU and shared advice for current Sun Devils.

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: “My “aha” moment would be my freshman year at ASU. Every business student has to take an intro to computer information course. So I was able to take that, and I realized within the first two weeks that I liked the major a lot. Looking back that was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because I love how I can learn the technical side of business as well as the nontechnical, the human side, management.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise —  that surprised you or changed your perspective? 

A: I think that something I learned at ASU was that there are so many different kinds of people that it's impossible to meet everyone. But the ones who you do meet are so nice and so friendly; they all offer unique stories, and it just goes to show that if you think your own story is boring or something like that it's not because to other people it can be so amazingly cool. 

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I found out that ASU has a really really good business program that I really wanted to be a part of because there are a lot of opportunities and situations that I could involve myself in. To not only grow professionally but to also find the changes that I wanted to do to be successful in college.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school? 

A: I would definitely say to branch out of your comfort zone. Because ASU is so large and there are so many clubs and organizations to join and so many things to do, it can be really easy to feel like you are lost in the crowd or you haven't found other people who are like you. Which is totally false. I think that because of how large it is ASU offers the unique ability where you are able to meet others who have similar interests.

Q: What courses at ASU have been the most applicable to your professional experience post-grad?

A: The courses that have been the most applicable to me post-grad are CIS340 and CIS345 [business information system development] with Dr. Olsen. When I first took these classes, I moaned and groaned with the rest of my peers because of how hard they were. Yet now, as I start my first job that deals with the concepts I learned in these classes, I'm very grateful to have the foundation that I do have because of these courses.