Student Angela Wilson Says Support of Cincinnatus Goes Beyond the Financial

Angela Wilson of Cleveland, Ohio competed in the very first Cincinnatus competition back in 1997. She is now looking ahead to graduating in spring 2002 with her degree in computer engineering, and with valuable experience after performing a co-op last year at the GE engine plant in Evendale. Wilson says it was the University of Cincinnati's reputable engineering, the Emerging Ethnic Engineers program and co-op programs that attracted her to campus.

The full Cincinnatus award was not only a financial relief as she planned for college, but also Wilson says the support out of the Cincinnatus office often helped her feel like she was "one of the best. Staff members have always been helpful, whether it was related to school or just personal. It (Cincinnatus) has given me a great support system."

Wilson says her interest in computer engineering began at Collinwood High School, her alma mater. She says she participated in several math and science clubs and also took an active role in mentor programs at her school, adding to her commitment to service, which is emphasized by the Cincinnatus awards.

As part of her experience in her five-year program at UC, Angela did four rotations at GE last year through UC's cooperative education program, the largest of its kind in the United States. The cooperative approach to education, founded at the University of Cincinnati back in 1906, gave Angela professional work experience as she earned her degree, which in turn will give her an edge when she enters the workforce after graduation.

Angela says she worked as a project manager during her paid experience at GE in Evendale, working on projects that included computer software development, code revisions and hardware. "I really learned a lot during my time there...about the industry and the company. The most valuable thing I learned was how to interact with all types of people."

Angela competed in Cincinnatus during her senior year in high school and says it was a great experience and an opportunity to meet students and their parents from around the country. She has a word of advice for the students looking ahead to the next competition: "Just be yourself. Most of the time during competitions like these, we tend to over exaggerate our personalities, so we can stick out from the rest. Students, just be the natural leaders that you are.

"I would also tell students to get tons of rest the night before the competition, and have fun!"