The University of Washington's Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering celebrates National National First-Generation College Celebration Day on November 8, 2024.
Zelia Lai
HCDE Master's Student
Class of 2025
"The events, networking opportunities, and mentorship I’ve received here have been life-changing. I feel an immense sense of pride, not just for myself, but for my family, as I’m the first in my family to pursue higher education."
How has the university’s community, such as mentors or student organizations, contributed to your journey?
As a first-generation master’s student coming from Macau, I could have never imagined that someone from a non-tech background could pursue career in tech.
Growing up in Macau, a small city with a rich cultural heritage but limited exposure to the tech industry, I never saw a clear path to a career in UX design. But thanks to the incredible opportunities and support provided by the HCDE department, I’ve been able to make this incredible career transition.
The events, networking opportunities, and mentorship I’ve received here have been life-changing. I feel an immense sense of pride, not just for myself, but for my family, as I’m the first in my family to pursue higher education. I never imagined that the journey from Macau would lead me to a tech giant like Amazon, and I’m beyond grateful for every person and opportunity that has made this possibility a reality.