Looking Ahead – My Vision as a Student Engineer

Published: August 2025 | By Alyn Tetteh

As a sophomore studying Software Engineering with a FinTech minor at Drexel University, I find myself in an exciting place—not only because of the opportunities in my field, but because of the responsibility I have to chart my own course. Looking ahead, I want to share my vision as a student engineer: where I see myself growing, the challenges I hope to embrace, and the long-term goals that drive me every day.

From the very beginning of my academic journey, I’ve been motivated by two passions: technology and finance. Individually, both are powerful industries, but together they form the foundation of innovation in the 21st century. FinTech, for me, isn’t just about apps that transfer money or trading platforms—it’s about financial accessibility. Billions of people still live without access to reliable banking systems. Through my studies, I hope to design software that doesn’t just serve the privileged few, but solutions that empower underserved communities.

In the short term, my focus is on becoming the best possible student engineer I can be. This means strengthening my skills in backend development, full-stack project design, and API integrations, while also pushing myself to understand how these systems interact with real-world business and financial problems. My projects—such as Books&Co, the movie-and-book e-library—are more than assignments. They are experiments in creating usable, accessible, and scalable applications. Each line of code feels like a step closer to building systems that can have a lasting impact.

But learning isn’t confined to classrooms or coding environments. At Drexel, I’m preparing for my future co-op cycles, where I’ll gain hands-on experience in industry. These internships will challenge me to apply my skills to large-scale systems, collaborate in professional teams, and learn from engineers who have walked the path before me. I view every co-op as a testing ground—not just for my technical skills, but for my ability to adapt, communicate, and grow as a professional.

Long-term, my vision is to become a builder of solutions that bridge technology, business, and people’s everyday needs. This might mean developing financial tools for small businesses, designing platforms that promote financial literacy, or creating automated systems that make banking more transparent and inclusive. At the same time, I want to continue exploring other fields—such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and automation—because I believe the best engineers are those who never stop learning.

Beyond career aspirations, I also want to focus on leadership and mentorship. My experiences as Valedictorian, Round Square President, and General Secretary for Model UN showed me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about guiding, supporting, and inspiring others. As I grow, I hope to mentor younger students in engineering and finance, sharing what I’ve learned and opening doors for them the way others did for me.

Of course, none of this will come without challenges. Engineering is a field where technology evolves rapidly, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There will be long nights debugging code, setbacks in projects, and failures that sting. But I believe failure is a necessary part of growth. Each obstacle is an opportunity to develop resilience, creativity, and adaptability. And in a way, that’s what excites me most: the unknown challenges that will shape me into a stronger engineer.

Ultimately, my vision as a student engineer is rooted in purpose. I don’t just want to build apps—I want to build tools that matter. I don’t just want to graduate—I want to grow into someone capable of creating change. Looking ahead, I see a future where my work combines the precision of engineering with the impact of finance, and where my contributions help make the world not only more connected, but also more equitable.

In the words of Steve Jobs, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” As I continue my journey, I carry this mindset with me—not as a lofty dream, but as a daily reminder to code with intention, lead with empathy, and never stop learning.

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