Where Are They Now? Former TSI Student Updates

This blog post was written by Ms. Lauren Martire

A couple weeks ago, I sent out an email to a few of last year’s TSI students to inquire if they wanted to be featured in my new “Where are they now” blog posts.  I immediately got a response back from Jesse Fuentes.  I asked Jesse to give me an update on how life at the University of Southern California is treating him and how Leyden prepared him for that life. Expecting a paragraph or two back, I was pleased (but not surprised) to receive an email NINE LONG paragraphs in length.  This is Jesse Fuentes...he goes above and beyond what is expected in ALL things that he does.  This described Jesse as a National Qualifier in FBLA, as a senior TSI student at Leyden and now as a freshman in college.

Jesse is currently studying Computer Engineering & Computer Science at USC but is considering making a change to Computer Science with an emphasis on Game Design and adding a minor in Computer & Digital Forensics.  When not studying, he works parts time at USC’s Information Technology Services as a student technical assistance where he supports the various learning environments on campus.  Jesse believes that his time in TSI prepared him for the job.  To quote Jesse,

“I was practically hired on the spot during my interview once I told the interviewers about the skills, experience and certifications I gained from TSI.  They were so impressed about my certificates and help desk/customer service skill that once I told them about TSI’s ticketing system and loaner laptop procedures, the job was already mine”.

Not surprisingly, Jesse has taken advantage of the internship programs available to freshman college students.  He interviewed for Qualcomm’s Freshman Early Identification Program and will be interviewing with Google sometime in February.  If Jesse gets accepted into Qualcomm’s program, he will spend ten weeks in their San Diego’s headquarters working with full time engineers on real projects.  He also interviewed with Microsoft.  Although he did not get accepted into Microsoft’s program, he was amazed by their interview process which required him to fly to Washington and stay for two nights at the Marriot (unlimited room service included!) - all expenses paid by Microsoft.

Outside of his academics, Jesse is involved in the Trojan Scholars Society and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.  He is currently organizing a “Discover Engineering Day” for 200 middle and high-school student.  Jesse has made friends with students from all over the world and says that his new friends are amazed to hear of all the opportunities he was given as a Leyden student.  According to Jesse, “Leyden has prepared me for college so much that had it not been for the support from all the teachers and staff, I would not have earned my scholarship or even acceptance into my dream school”.

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Jesse’s advice to other students it to “take advantage of everything Leyden has to offer because there are kids out there who don’t even know of the opportunities that are available”.

I am looking forward to getting more updates from Jesse, all of which I am sure will get more and more impressive.  After all...this is Jesse Fuentes I am talking about!

Jesse at Microsoft