Math Student Spotlight
Name: Helena Holland
Major(s): Mathematics
Year in School: Junior
Where are you from?
I am from Bloomington, Minnesota.
What gets you excited about Math?
Math is an integrated subject, so I get excited when I finally see how different math classes and seemingly isolated pieces of information that I learn fit together. It is very satisfying to see the progress in my knowledge.
Favorite math class or instructor so far? Why?
My favorite math class so far has been Linear Algebra. I enjoyed the conceptual side of the course that dealt with vector spaces and transformations, and it forms the basis for many of my current classes.
What are you excited about doing after graduation?
I am excited to get some work experience and apply the quantitative and computing skills that I have developed during my time at UNL to real-world problems. I interned this past summer at Open Systems International, a company that designs software packages for power systems, and saw first-hand the application of math and computer science to the electrical services we use every day. I hope to obtain a data analyst position in a similar field.
What is a goal you have accomplished as a Husker?
One goal that I have accomplished as a Husker is programming proficiency. I had very little computing knowledge before starting college, and I struggled through the first few CS classes required for my informatics minor. As I took more courses, I became a better programmer and even grew to enjoy it, which I never would have believed two years ago.
What do you wish you would have known when you started as a Math Major that you know now?
I wish I would have gotten more involved with the Math Department's job and event offerings. I started working as a counselor at the Math Resource Center last semester, which was very rewarding.
What do you hope to cross off your “bucket list” in the next few years?
I would like to cross participating in the American Birkebeiner ski race off my bucket list.
If you would like to see yourself in the spotlight, please contact Doug for more information.