Meet Graduate Shiqiong Lu

Driven by her love of coding and passion for technology, Shiqiong Lu recently graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in Information Science and a specialization in data science. From accepting a job at Freddie Mac as a software developer to making plans to attend graduate school, Shiqiong is moving on to even greater things. As a first-generation STEM college student, she was drawn to Nvolve and the chance to have a mentor, a professional woman in her field of study. After joining the program in September 2020, Shiqiong found that “there were way more benefits than first expected.” First, conducting group projects through the Nvolve Science & Technology Program provided a platform “to learn new things, apply new knowledge, and really feel more confident” in these real-world situations. Both of Shiqiong’s projects studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of a team, she used data from the Bureau of Transportation and created a Tableau dashboard to illustrate “COVID-19 Effects on Major Airports Airline Flights.” She was also the first author on a peer-reviewed publication on “the relationship between increased knowledge of vaccine studies and willingness to participate in future clinical trials.” Shiqiong feels confident that these experiences helped her “stand out as compared to other applicants for [her] internships and the Freddie Mac position.” Equally as important to Shiqiong is the participation in her scholar cohort. Weekly cohort meetings provided an opportunity to connect with other scholars, as well as listen to guest speakers pass on their knowledge. Personally, they encouraged Shiqiong to focus on skills such as “leadership, goal setting, negotiation, critical thinking, and handling pressure.” Finally, over the last two years, Shiqiong developed a very strong relationship with her mentor Deb Fitzgerald, who offered her academic and career advice every step of the way, while also helping her prepare for her technical interviews. 

Deb Fitzgerald is a retired Chief Information Officer from Deltek, a software product company in a Herndon, VA, and is currently serving on the Nvolve Board of Directors. Ms. Fitzgerald initially joined Nvolve because she has “always enjoyed supporting others in their career development” and after leaving “corporate life in 2020” Nvolve provided her with an opportunity to continue mentoring. Ms. Fitzgerald specifically notes Shiqiong’s “passion, dedication, and hard work” and knows that she will continue to “grow as a technologist and leader.” She has been proud to witness Shiqiong’s growth over the last two years and is confident that she will be the “go-to person who can be counted on to tackle even tough challenges that a company throws her way.” While volunteering as a mentor, Ms. Fitzgerald decided to expand her relationship with Nvolve. She is “now proudly involved in several initiatives to … enhance the program, along with serving on the Board of Directors.” As Ms. Fitzgerald notes that “it takes a community to deliver this program,” Shiqiong leaves Nvolve and all other women in STEM with the message that “every effort will pay off in the end.”