Alden Duarte-Vasquez

Alden Duarte-Vasquez
Grade Level: Freshman
Major: Computer Science
Campus Programs/Involvement: DESTINO Christian Club - Treasurer and Facilities Signer; Guided Pathways in STEM (GPS) Scholar; Computer Science Promise (CS Promise) Cohort Scholar; TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Scholar; Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Scholar

Career Goal: I aspire to become either an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer or a Computer Scientist.

Hobbies: I enjoy reading, playing video games, playing chess, cooking, and LEGO building as hobbies.

How has the GPS Program helped you?
GPS has helped me become conscious of building professional skills and experience aside from just focusing on academic work. Whether it has been through resume building, internship applying, or skill development, GPS has provided me with the opportunities to improve these areas that I overlooked as a college student.

What keeps you motivated and positive throughout life’s hardships?
My faith as a Christian keeps me motivated in not only times of trouble but also of enjoyment. I would have no hope or future if it were not for God’s love towards me and humanity in spite of the sins and mistakes that have been made. Even when certain circumstances are seemingly impossible to escape from, my trust in God prevails.

What advice would you like to give to your fellow scholars?
I would advise fellow scholars to be clear and intentional on the goals they want to achieve; without any sense of willingness or desire to accomplish something, not only would there be a lack of motivation but also satisfaction hindering the likelihood of reaching that goal.

What are your plans after graduation?
At the moment I think of two different plans concerning academics: 1) Attend graduate school to obtain a Masters’ Degree in either Computer Science or Robotics with research in AI and then working as an AI Engineer or 2) Work for an innovative tech company while attending graduate school, obtain the Masters’ Degree, and then becoming an AI Engineer

Favorite Movie: Avengers: Infinity War

Favorite Food: Galbi-Jjim

Least Favorite Food: Beans

Place you'd most like to travel to:
I would like to travel to France particularly to visit the Louvre Museum and try some rich French cuisine at a Michelin Star restaurant.

Describe yourself in three words:
Adaptive, Assertive, Inquisitive