Ansley Schug is a rising senior majoring in Computer Science at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Originally from Woodbury, Minnesota, Ansley is also the 9th-fastest hurdler in NDSU history. She applies the same focus and grit to her studies as well as her track training to earn her an All-Time Top 10 Most Valuable Player of the North Dakota State Women’s Track and Field.
“I did not decide to study Computer Science until my sophomore year of college.”
Photo credit: NDSU Track & Feld
As a Program Coordinator at uCodeGirl, whose mission is to inspire and engage young women to tech career, we invited Ansley to share a bit about her journey to her chosen field of computing.
When and how did you decide to study Computer Science? I did not decide to pursue a degree in technology until my senior year of high school. A friend of mine convinced me to take an electrical engineering class with her during our senior year. Fortunately, it was a great experience and I went into my freshman year of college as a Computer Engineering major. After taking a year of Computer Engineering courses, I decided that majoring in Computer Science would be a better fit for me. So technically speaking, I did not decide to study Computer Science until my sophomore year of college. I decided to pursue a Computer Science degree because I loved the way CS concepts challenged me, I wanted to be a part of an up and coming field, and I wanted to be different and do something that surprised people.
What inspires you about the future workforce in technology? The technology field is always changing and there are always new things to learn. A future in technology covers so many areas that it is impossible to lock yourself into one category. I am inspired by a future in technology because I know that I am never going to be bored and I am going to be working in a field that is changing the world daily.
What insights or advice would you have for your younger self? I would tell my younger self not to let any stereotypes, presumptions, or judgments get in the way of my goals, dreams, or even daily life. I would tell myself to be confident, be inspired, and be courageous.
She summarizes, “Don't be afraid to be different from the status quo. As a woman in a field that is predominantly male, I have learned to own it. There are times where I have been the only girl in a class of thirty or forty students. However, I have learned not to let that hinder my confidence, experience, or passion in any way.” And we say, “You go girl!”