By Laura Palmer

Computer & Systems Engineering was not my first choice. I originally wanted to become a medical doctor. A family friend who worked in engineering encouraged me to explore the field because he loved it. It was a growing interdisciplinary area, and he believed it would give me many career options—including opportunities connected to healthcare.

He took me under his wing and gave me the chance to participate in some of his work projects. Through that experience, I saw how systems are built piece by piece and how every part contributes to the whole.

After graduating, I moved thousands of miles from Peru to the United States. I was not able to return to school right away, and I was unsure whether I would ever use my degree here.

In my original career path, I expected to use my Computer & Systems Engineering degree to build software systems, manage technology projects, and help organizations improve efficiency through better processes.

What I learned in college, however, became useful in an unexpected way.

My undergraduate degree taught me to think in systems. I learned to analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and make adjustments to improve efficiency. I learned to recognize all the components that make up a system, understand how they relate to one another, and evaluate their impact on the larger whole. I also learned to break projects into tasks and create practical solutions to recurring problems. Most importantly, I learned that past success does not guarantee future success. Systems must be continually reviewed and refreshed in order to survive and thrive.

Before long, I realized this was exactly how I viewed the housing system I am now part of. How do all the people, processes, and resources connect? Where are the bottlenecks? What changes would improve the flow of the system and make it more effective?

Because of that mindset, I have been able to implement project management systems that help organize our processes throughout the year. That has been especially valuable in designing processes in StarRez, coordinating move-in, and partnering with my team during the busiest housing seasons.

My undergraduate degree may seem unrelated to my current housing career, but it has proven incredibly useful. Sometimes the most valuable lessons are the ones we end up using in places we never expected.

Laura Palmer
Associate Dean of Residence Life at Arkansas Tech University