How a First-Gen Engineering Student Graduated Debt-Free: Scholarships, Internships and STEM Success with Ashley Inocencio

In this conversation, Sandra Park interviews Ashley Inocencio, a fourth year civil engineering student at UC Irvine, who shares her journey of graduating debt-free as a first-generation college student. They discuss the challenges and strategies Ashley employed to navigate college without financial support from her family, including applying for scholarships, internships, and her involvement in peer advising. Ashley reflects on her experiences at the SWE conference, her upcoming transition to a full-time engineering role, and offers valuable advice for future students facing similar challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:05 Navigating College Choices04:54 Financial Independence and Scholarships07:47 Career Aspirations and Influences10:21 Peer Advising Experience13:06 SWE Conference Insights15:55 Future Career Expectations22:56 Pursuing Professional Credentials25:14 Exciting Future Plans26:24 Scholarship and Internship Strategies28:53 The Importance of Experience31:29 Resilience and Financial Independence34:51 Future Aspirations and Giving BackSign up for my email newsletter here https://engineerherpath.kit.com/cdc989db8f