This is the case for three systems engineering students who became interested in technology while still in high school and worked hard to make a name for themselves in this field.
Valentina Tironi and Manuel Perera from Ánima High School and Gonzalo Ferreira from Impulso High School received full scholarships to pursue college degrees, and today they are celebrating their achievements and sharing their experiences with us.
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Valentina Tironi, Ánima High School
How did your interest in studying Systems Engineering come about?
It all started at the high school I attended, Ánima, where I completed a technical high school program. That helped me realize that I enjoyed programming, but it also introduced me to the world of technology—a world where everyone is deeply passionate about what they do—a world where I feel I belong.What was the process like when you applied for the scholarship to study in college? How did you experience it?
I remember that the day of the test was crazy. I live far away—an hour and a half by bus. That day I woke up late and wasn’t going to make it. I called the high school, and they told me to come anyway, even if I was late. So I got on the bus and arrived just as they were closing the door to start the test.
I left feeling like I had done well but not well enough to win it. When they called to tell me I had gotten it, it was a shock—an immense joy.How was this semester with online classes for you? How did you adjust? What would you highlight, and what would you improve about this format?
I have to admit that it was really great for me. I live far from campus, and commuting by bus takes up a lot of my study time. So working from home and taking online classes gives me more time to study.You’ve been working for a few years now—what are your expectations for your professional future in this sector, which offers so many possibilities?
Yes, I’ve been working at Moove IT as a developerfor three years. I started when I was still in high school, thanks to Ánima’s training program. I began with an internship, going in three times a week, and then I stayed on at the company. Today I work four hours a day, Monday through Friday.
My current goal is to graduate; that’s my plan, and I’m dedicating all my time to it. After that, I’ll focus on myself and things I’ve been meaning to do, like learning to play the piano or taking dance classes. Although I also know for sure that I want to keep learning.How do you view the transition from academia to the workplace and vice versa?
I believe practice makes perfect. While theory is very helpful, if you don’t put what you learn into practice, if you don’t try it out, if you don’t hit a wall, you won’t fully internalize it. Work is like another university for me; I learn a lot, and I often find myself connecting situations presented in class with what I see at work, especially in programming.
The good thing about having worked before starting my degree is that there are no surprises for me anymore. I know what I’m studying, I know what I’ll be doing afterward, and I’m confident in my decision. -
Manuel Perera, Ánima High School
How did your interest in studying Systems Engineering come about?
I’ve always been really passionate about technology and video games, and I was incredibly curious about how things worked and were created.
This was confirmed when I enrolled in the technology-focused high school program at Ánima in 2017 and began to explore programming, databases, web development, and more. I feel that this is an area I really enjoy and where I believe I perform well.What was the application process like for the scholarship to study at the university? How did you find it?
The application process was pretty straightforward. Representatives from ORT came to Ánima to present their scholarship system and show us the degree programs they offered. Then, those of us interested in applying attended an information session at the university to learn more and get our questions answered.
At Ánima, we had preparation sessions before taking the test, where we reviewed sample tests or exams from different universities, so I always felt very supported.
Personally, I was very nervous and full of anticipation; I knew I was “competing” against highly qualified people, but I always trusted in my abilities and knew I could make it. Even so, I still had a hard time believing it when they told me I had been accepted.This year has been very different and full of changes. As a student, how did you experience it? How did you adapt to online classes? What aspects would you highlight, and what would you improve about taking classes in this format?
Yes, this year has brought so many changes. On top of the transition from high school to college, we’ve had to navigate this pandemic, and honestly, it’s been a bit of a struggle to adapt. I think in-person classes really help build study habits; the atmosphere at the university, exchanging ideas with classmates, or forming study groups are things that don’t happen when you’re taking virtual classes.Personally, I find it harder to study and work from home, where there are so many more distractions and limitations, than I do at the university. However, I believe that online learning has its advantages; one of the biggest ones, in my opinion, is the ability to record classes. Being able to watch and rewatch a class has been one of the tools that has helped me the most this semester, and I think it would be great if this practice continued even after the current situation has passed.
I’m also very grateful for the online resources provided by the university through the virtual classroom, which are truly helpful and of high quality, as well as for the willingness of the instructors to answer all my questions.
Are you ready to start working?
Yes, I’ve already had the chance to work and study at the same time, and I really enjoyed the experience—it was very rewarding. Finding a job is one of my short- to medium-term goals.How do you envision your future as a professional in a field as diverse and full of potential as technology?
I haven’t quite decided on my career path yet. I know it’s a vast field that offers many different opportunities, such as working as an employee, freelancing, or starting a small business—all three are options I’d like to explore.
What I do know for sure is that to stay current in the industry, you have to be able to reinvent yourself and keep learning, which is why I want to continue my studies. -
Gonzalo Ferreira, Impulso High School
How did your interest in studying Systems Engineering come about?
I’ve loved technology since I was very young. I completed a technology-focused high school program at Impulso High School, and thanks to a school program called “Work to Study”—which aims to prevent students from dropping out of the education system—I started working at dLocal, a technology company. Also, in 2017, I represented Uruguay in a global Microsoft Office competition. I traveled to Anaheim, California, where the contest was held, and competed against students from all over the world. Afterward, I attended the Open House at ORT University, specifically the Systems Engineering presentation, and that sealed my decision.What was the application process like for the scholarship to study in college? How did you experience it?
The process began in high school; there was a call for applications for anyone who wanted to apply. Then I wrote a formal letter explaining why I wanted to apply, and given my academic performance, I took the test at ORT.
I was very nervous on the day of the test, as well as in the days that followed while I waited for the results. When they told me I had won the scholarship, it was a huge joy; we were all very happy—me, my family, the high school, and my circle of friends.How are online classes going for you? How did you adjust to the change?
It’s a pretty big change—first, moving from high school to college, and second, getting used to online classes. Anyway, I think I’ve adjusted really well. The university adapted quickly to the change and did the best it could in the short time it had.
For me, it’s been an advantage because I live far away—more than an hour by bus—and now I have more time to study.How do you see yourself as a future professional in a field as diverse and full of potential as the tech sector?
I’ve been fortunate enough to be working in this field for three years now. I hope to continue on the path of software development, and over time I’ll figure out what I enjoy most. The great thing about working in tech is that we have the option to choose where and what we work on. It’s a field that offers flexibility and low unemployment.How do you view the transition from academia to the workplace and vice versa?
There’s no doubt that the transition from academic knowledge to the workplace happens very naturally, especially in fields like programming.
It also works the other way around; many of the tasks I have to perform at work help me gain knowledge that I later apply in class. Both worlds complement each other.