What's Next?
I'm going to University of West Florida to get my robotics masters.
I wanted to be in engineering, but not just Mechanical. Mechatronics is like "robotics-lite," it's learning all the basics of what robotics is, but on a more fundamental level.
Any Advice?
You are tasked with a lot of very heavy mathematics and it's in a lot of different fields and aspects. It's hard to remember what you wanted out of the major, so keep an open mind. Look at what interests you most, because this major is going to let you do pretty much anything in the engineering field.
A fellowship for local government, so I'd go to a host site somewhere in North Carolina and work for a year making programs that help the community.
Start planning as early as possible. And if you have a good relationship with other students in your field, you'll be fine whatever you do.
I'm hoping to go to New England Conservatory or Cleveland Institute of Music. I'd like to be in cities where I can perform in opera.
It's okay ask questions. I'm a transfer, and I didn't ask many questions at my old institution but when I came here, I asked constant questions, because classes will be harder if you don't.
Get a job! I know I want to do game development for a living. I like story-based games and virtual reality, but I was in the video game design course here and we were doing anything from 2D platformers to a 3D hide-and-seek game. One of my life rules is to always be creative.
Experiment, try different clubs. Building your own community is crucial.
I'm looking at law schools in D.C., leaning toward George Washington or American University.
Get to know your professors, they'll be able to help you network a lot and be able to show you where to go. They all have really great connections both in and out of the local community. They're great resources.
Amanda: I plan on taking a break before jumping into grad school for data analytics.
Anna: I want to be a professor. It's a big jump but it's just the first thing that comes to mind. Professor Becky Sanft is an inspiration to me, I look up to how she helps students.
Amanda: Take advantage of the resources we have in the Math Lab. They're always willing to help and there's a lot of skilled tutors there.
Anna: Use the tutoring center, connect with your professors, and attend office hours.
Taking a gap year, working as a research assistant in local African-American cemeteries before going to grad school.
Annoy your professors as much as possible! I've been a research assistant, gotten fellowships, and internships from connecting with professors.
I've been accepted into the Music Therapy program at Appalachian State. I've been doing research related to music and happiness, what songs make people happy on campus.
Make friends with your peers because you need to do so much with ensembles and you gotta know people to form those groups. Everyone is so nice in the music department, I love working with them.
Taking a gap year and job searching for something community engaged in the healthcare field.
I always knew I wanted to be in healthcare. Dental is my end goal, but I don't want to go straight into it.
Rely on the people that's there — our professors and advisors are very helpful in Health Science.
Be transparent when you need help, it's hard to be vulnerable but telling the truth about what you are going through goes a long way.
I'm going to continue my current jobs: coach the UNC Asheville League of Legends ESports team, be a junior creative strategist and copy writing.
It's what I've always been good at — video games and poetry.
Throw yourself at every opportunity. Even if you fail it shouldn't matter as long as you get the experience. The best thing about universities is the connections with really smart people who are already established in the things you want to be establishing.
I'm going to grad school at Georgia Southern to study lizards.
You have time to figure out what you like to do. You have time to figure out your niche.
I actually came in as a psychology major and then I took a class about herpetology, so all about snakes and lizards and stuff. Then I found an advisor who did research on snakes. When I was little I was always playing in the woods, so I'm honestly surprised I didn't come here with that in mind in the first place.
Officially, I'm going to grad school but the reading for fun, I'm really excited for.
I'm going to NC State for Higher Education Administration. Being at UNC Asheville, getting to meet all the staff and faculty, it really made me believe that it's a field where people can succeed and feel supported.
Remember how many different ways there are to get involved. Academics is huge, but there's other ways to form connections and have those networks.
Applying to Law School. I'm thinking of University of Boulder in Colorado.
I want to make the world a better place and help people afford health care.
Seek out opportunities, talk to your professors, and go to class!
I want to do clinical work, like therapy, but with a background in understanding systemic inequality in social systems.
Find a mentor in undergraduate research in something you are passionate about. And don't be afraid to fight for the person that's suffering in the room.
© 2026 UNC Asheville