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From ���ϳԹ��� to Apple: A Journey of Perseverance

"Imposter syndrome never really disappears—you just learn to push through it. Your journey is your own, and success comes at different paces for everyone."

Alondra Gonzales, a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) at Apple, has navigated an incredible journey from ���ϳԹ��� to Silicon Valley. Graduating in Fall 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, a Software Engineering concentration, and a Mathematics minor, she embraced every challenge, from securing internships to overcoming self-doubt, proving that persistence and confidence pave the way to success.

Finding Community and Mentorship at ���ϳԹ���

Alondra's college journey was significantly shaped by mentorship and student organizations, particularly Girls Who Code. Although she never held an official officer role, she was an active participant, drawn to the club's supportive atmosphere.

"My first CS class only had three women. Seeing new female students join Girls Who Code felt like progress. The club brought in companies like Dell and Meta, creating opportunities for us to network and learn."

Additionally, Alondra found mentorship in Dr. Mejia, whom she worked with as an Instructional Assistant (IA) for a year.

"Dr. Mejia became my go-to mentor. Whether I needed career advice, help with difficult courses, or guidance on internships, he always had insightful advice."

Internship Journey: Building Experience Step by Step

"Dr. Mejia pushed us to attend, and I went, thinking I wouldn't find anything. That single decision led to my first internship."

"A friend randomly found the McDonald's internship link and shared it. We both applied, went through a rigorous selection process, and ended up interning together. It was surreal!"

The Apple Miracle: From Uncertainty to Dream Job

As graduation approached, Alondra faced uncertainty. McDonald's wasn't extending return offers, and her full-time job search was proving difficult.

"I was already in my last semester with no job lined up. I started applying everywhere, unsure of what would happen."

Then, out of nowhere, she received an unexpected email from an Apple recruiter—an opportunity she initially thought was fake.

"I didn't even remember applying. I Googled the recruiter to verify it was real before responding."

Despite feeling that she had underperformed in Apple's technical assessment, she followed up with the recruiter. She completed her final interviews the week after graduation and received her job offer at Apple five days later.

"The shift from having nothing lined up to landing my dream job in less than a week was overwhelming. It still feels surreal."

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Even after securing a role at Apple, imposter syndrome remained a challenge.

"I constantly compared myself to others—why did I struggle when someone else grasped concepts instantly? But I've learned that everyone's journey is different. Hard work and persistence matter more than speed."

She advises students to believe in themselves and focus on personal growth rather than comparisons.

Life as an SRE at Apple

As a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) in Sunnyvale, CA, Alondra is responsible for backend development and internal security tools. While Apple uses a unique title, her work closely aligns with software engineering.

Her typical day currently involves:

• Onboarding and Training: Learning Apple's internal tools and security frameworks
• Research and Collaboration: Scheduling chats with team members to understand new topics and best practices
• Networking Across Teams: Meeting engineers from different departments to explore potential collaborations

"Right now, I'm in the onboarding phase, so my days involve a lot of learning and networking. It's exciting to see the breadth of innovation happening across Apple."

Apple's Commitment to Diversity

One of Alondra's biggest concerns before starting at Apple was whether she would feel represented.

"I worried I'd be the only woman or Latina in my cohort, but I was surprised by the diversity—there are many women and Hispanic engineers."

This representation reassured her that Apple values inclusivity, reinforcing the importance of hiring diverse talent.

Advice for Future Engineers

Alondra shares key takeaways for students navigating their careers:

• Push Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone: "I almost skipped the career fair, but attending led to my first internship."
• Take Every Opportunity Seriously: "Even a random internship listing can change your career—always apply."
• Don't Let Imposter Syndrome Hold You Back: "Success isn't about speed—it's about consistency and resilience."

Supporting Future ���ϳԹ��� Students

Alondra believes that alumni are critical to student success by sharing their career journeys and offering mentorship.

"Hearing from alumni who were once in my shoes made me feel like success was possible. Their advice helped me navigate challenges, and I want to do the same for future students."

She looks forward to returning to ���ϳԹ��� to speak with students, particularly women in STEM, and encourages other alumni to give back by mentoring, reviewing resumes, or sharing job opportunities.

Alondra's story is a testament to perseverance, mentorship, and embracing unexpected opportunities. Her journey highlights the power of self-belief and taking chances, offering inspiration for current and future ���ϳԹ��� students pursuing careers in technology.