Fernanda Somohano Ortega '27 Wants to Connect Her Soccer Passion with NJIT Degree

Fernanda Somohano Ortega ‘27 is eyeing cybersecurity jobs in the sports world, or better yet an opportunity to work in Barcelona and support her favorite soccer club. With the help of the Innovation Fellow of The Knowledge House (TKH), the NJIT computer science major is closing in fulfilling her career aspirations. 

“In St. Benedict’s, they really helped me get into NJIT,” said Somohano Ortega. “I came to a tour during the summer between my junior and senior year and fell in love. I just felt that this was the place.”

Born in Mexico City, Somohano Ortega moved to the United States at the age of 15. When The Knowledge House came into her life, it helped shape her career goals.

TKH was founded in 2014 to close the gaps in the education­-to-­employment pipeline by leading digital skills training in coding and design for underserved young people in the Bronx. In 2021, TKH expanded its programming to serve young people in Newark, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Before becoming an Innovation Fellow, Somohano Ortega completed The Karim Kharbouch Coding Fellowship (KKCF) for high school students.

“They show you how to do a web page, use programming languages, and during the rest of the year (from June to June), they help you with scholarships, apply to colleges and polish your resume. They help you with a lot of things to start off your college career on the right foot,” she said.

As part of the Innovation Fellowship, which Somohano Ortega combined with her freshman coursework at NJIT, she had the option to select which career to focus on from the following – cybersecurity, web design, data analytics and UX/UI.

From a young age, her parents and grandparents taught her that learning English would be important in her life. She feels that watching series helped her improve her English, and while streaming them, she garnered an interest for cybersecurity and how it can be used to help businesses and people. 

“I know that you can help small businesses, help out people so they don’t steal their data. It has always interested me, and I know that it covers a very wide field,” said Somohano Ortega. “I can work from anywhere like in Europe or Australia. I can also work here or in any industry like pharmaceutical, medical or sports.”

Growing up in Mexico City, Somohano Ortega was an avid soccer player, her routine consisted of training every day and playing with four different teams. When she visits, she always tries to meet up with her coaches. 

Her passion for soccer, ingrained by her father and grandfather, led her to become an avid FC Barcelona fan. After culminating her first year at NJIT, she traveled to Bilbao, Spain to witness FC Barcelona’s women’s team, commonly known as FC Barcelona Femení or Barça Femení, lift their third UEFA Women’s Champions League. 

What I like is that you’re walking around campus and you hear languages I’ve never heard... I love listening to them and trying to guess their origin.

One of her dreams is that her cybersecurity degree will help her land a job in Barcelona or with a sports organization. “I’m looking at internship opportunities for the future or studying abroad possibilities. I know that Formula 1 has cybersecurity jobs. What's important is that cybersecurity is needed in various areas and places.” 

Somohano Ortega’s plan is to graduate in 2027, but might take the master’s route and graduate in 2028. After completing her Innovation Fellowship with TKH, she looks forward to having more time to join clubs at NJIT, which involve cybersecurity, robotics or soccer. 

Somohano Ortega enjoys NJIT’s multiculturality and wants to meet more colleagues from different walks of life. “What I like is that you’re walking around campus and you hear languages I’ve never heard. Sometimes even different accents in Spanish. I love listening to them and trying to guess their origin.”