NJIT Scholar Will Develop Software While Pursuing a Master's in Cybersecurity
In her second year at New Jersey Institute of Technology, Samantha Augustin made the difficult decision to switch majors.
Biomedical engineering gave way to computer engineering, and now Augustin is poised to pursue a master’s in cybersecurity at New York University. But without the help of an academic advisor “who patiently explained how to do it and helped me transfer and organize my courses,” the major switch could have set her back.
Building a network
Augustin — who attended NJIT with her twin sister, Samara, both as part of the first cohort of Mayor’s Honors Scholars from Newark — is grateful for the plentiful support she received as a member of the Class of 2023, be it from the university’s Albert Dorman Honors College, Educational Opportunity Program or McNair Scholars program.
“These programs helped me to become more situated in NJIT and expand my professional and academic network,” she explained.
Such networking was key to Augustin securing an opportunity to work as a software developer at Verisk in Jersey City even while pursuing her master’s at NYU. The part-time role begins as an internship this summer.
Coincidentally, Augustin’s sister is pursuing a master’s at NYU as well — in computer science. “We both chose NYU because it was close to home and had amazing programs in our fields,” Augustin said.
Learning beyond the classroom
As an undergraduate, Augustin was a model for giving back.
On campus, she tutored and helped teach Newark high school students in the Center for Pre-College Program’s Math Success Initiative, which primes such students for college life. She also tutored peers at EOP who needed help in calculus and worked as a research assistant for the McNair Scholars program and as a teaching assistant and tutor for Upward Bound.
What’s more, during the summer of 2019, Augustin interned at the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, where she interacted with doctors and learned first-hand about the resources that the city provides its residents.
Indeed, this scholar is living proof that learning extends well beyond the classroom.
