Posse Scholar finds computer science success at Cornell
Natalia Alvarado Martinez graduated in December with a B.A. in computer science, and she’s ready for the next steps in her career.
Cornell’s One Course At A Time schedule allowed her to take immersive, hands-on courses to develop skills for her future and hold an internship with IBM–all while staying on course to graduate early.
“Cornell has set me up for success, I have learned more than one computer language, which makes me a versatile person,” she said.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Ajit Chavan says Alvarado Martinez has really taken advantage of the One Course At A Time schedule.
“Natalia is outstanding in time management and an incredible self-learner,” Chavan said. “She was working 10–15 hours for her internship as well as taking online courses on top of her Cornell courses. When asked how she managed this, she told me she worked 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily as an intern, since no classes are scheduled during that time on the block plan.”
Alvarado Martinez came to Cornell by way of the Posse Foundation. She was part of a group of eight scholars chosen to become Cornell’s first Posse in the fall of 2021. The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits, and trains a small, diverse group of talented students, known as Posses, who demonstrate extraordinary leadership potential. The foundation then teams up with colleges, like Cornell, to create opportunities for these students.
Being far from her much warmer home in Texas, Alvarado Martinez appreciated the support and encouragement she received from her computer science professors.
“Their dedication to promoting a positive learning environment not only enhanced my academic experience but also motivated me,” she said. “The guidance they offered introduced confidence and a sense of belonging.”
The Computer Science Department focuses on helping every student prepare for their careers from day one of their time on the Hilltop.
“In today’s fast-paced tech industry, employers are looking for software engineers who have strong technical knowledge and the ability to work with team members to achieve stringent deadlines,” said Chavan. “At Cornell College, we provide the exact same settings through our block plan and team projects in all upper-level computer science courses.”
Looking back, Alvarado Martinez has one piece of advice for those considering Cornell and computer science.
“I would say to always reach out to the computer science professors, they have been great mentors to my computer science journey. They are extremely helpful and caring and can help guide you in any situation,” she said.
Natalia Alvarado Martinez works on her laptop in West Science Hall. Photo by Noelle Regennitter.
