Emma Braten’s Spotlight Interview

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We asked the peer mentors to answer some questions about their time here at UConn and give some simple tips and tricks to navigating the campus. Meet Emma! A senior here at the University of Connecticut Majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science Engineering with a CSB concentration in BME and a Bioinformatics concentration in CSE.

Emma Braten

What semester is this for you?

Second semester super-senior year (10th semester)

When are you graduating?

May 2022

What’s your major?

BME and CSE (double major)

Do you minor in anything or have a specific concentration within your major?

CSB concentration in BME

Bioinformatics concentration in CSE

Where are you from?

Wilton, CT

Are you in a learning community? (which one) How has it helped you?

N/A

What on-campus activities/organizations are you involved in?

  • SWE
  • Engineering Peer Mentors
  • WiSTEM Mentoring Program
  • Project Sunshine

Where is your favorite spot on campus to study or hangout?

I like studying in ITE on the upper floors or in the study rooms at the library.

What is the easiest part of your academic career at uconn?

The easiest part of my academic career has been finding classes that I enjoy. There are so many different classes in each engineering major to choose from, and you also get to take other non-STEM classes as gen-eds. There’s a class for everything!

What is the hardest part of your academic career at uconn?

The hardest part of my academic career was finding a major that encompassed everything I was interested in. I have changed my major about 5 times overall.

Any plans after graduation?

I plan on going to the UConn BME 4+1 graduate program and then going into industry.

What is your advice to incoming freshmen (in your major or in general)?

Always ask questions! I wish it had asked more questions as an underclassman because there is a lot I am just learning now that I wish I had known before.

Do you have any tips for navigating the campus?

    For the first few years at UConn, the weekend before the semester started I would go to each building and find the location of my classrooms. That way I wouldn’t be stressed on the first day of classes, especially if I had classes back-to-back.

    How did you handle online schooling vs in person schooling? Which do you like better?

    Online classes were definitely a struggle. Not being able to meet any classmates in person was difficult. I managed to join some study groups through Discord channels which helped a lot. In general I prefer in person classes. It’s easier to talk to classmates and ask your professors questions.

    How was adjusting to life at uconn like for you as a freshman? Would you do anything differently?

    I felt pretty prepared to come to college in general, but my freshman RA definitely made it a lot easier. She was super approachable and always left her door open in case we had any questions.

    What resources are most helpful for the first years coming into the school of engineering?

      These are my favorite resources:

      • The Q Center (I basically lived there when I took physics)
      • The engineering tutoring center
      • Engineering honors societies that offer tutoring help in specific
        courses
      • The involvement fair (I’ve tried tons of different clubs)
      • The CCD (I go every fall for a resume review before the career
        fairs)

      Any fun facts? 

      I really enjoy baking and decorating cakes/cupcakes!