by: Arshia Rampuria

It’s the time of the year where the freshmen here at IA must choose their major pathways. In aid to this process, we have asked several of the upperclassmen about their experiences going through pathway selection. Here are some of their reflections: 

What helped you decide that you wanted to go into IT? 

• First, I wanted to go to healthcare, but after taking GT Block and the courses at this school, I decided to take IT.  –Sumeda, Junior in IT 

What helped you decide that you wanted to go into engineering? 

• I liked working with wood, and I was interested in designing 3D objects.  –Anonymous, Sophomore in Engineering 

What helped you decide that you wanted to go into healthcare? 

• Ever since I was a little kid, I would be intrigued by things in the Healthcare pathway. For example, when my little sister used to get hurt, I would clean her scrapes and bruises. I also did a presentation about orthopedic surgery in 5^th grade. Experiences like that were what truly connected me to the pathway, and ultimately into joining the school.  –Risha, Senior in Healthcare 

Have the clubs at IA influenced you choosing your Pathway? 

• When I saw the offer for TSA, it opened my eyes to what I could do in the IT Pathway. TSA as a pathway club gets me involved in aspects of IT as well, considering the events and challenges they have in the club.  –Eniola, Sophomore in IT 
• I participate in TSA and the Tech Alpharetta club, a mentoring program, and I think they were both helpful. TSA helped me explore different sections I want to go into in IT.  –Sumeda, Junior in IT 
• Not really, as the clubs in IA were not as developed in 9^th and 10^th grade when I was a freshman. The club system was integrated mainly within last year and this year.  –Risha, Senior in Healthcare 

Do you think GT Block helped you choose your Pathway? 

• I think GT Block was helpful for me to experience all the different pathways, and it did help a little bit in deciding what I wanted to do. I realized IT was a better match for me.  –Sumeda, Junior in IT 
• GT Block taught me a little more about the Engineering process, but did not influence my decision in choosing it. On the contrary, it didn’t help me learn about the stuff we do in engineering now. We do a lot of designs that GT Block didn’t prepare us for.  –Anonymous, Sophomore in Engineering 
• To be honest, it did not change my approach. However, it solidified my opinion on joining the healthcare pathway as I did not find a passion in IT or Engineering compared to healthcare. Looking back, I might have wanted to take IT.  –Risha, Senior in Healthcare 

Do you believe that IA has kept your passions for the pathway you chose going? 

• Yes. I took Surgical Tech last year with Dr. Dawes, and this year I’m taking Patient Care Fundamentals with Ms. Kramer. They were both one of my favorite classes to take: both classes are super engaging and knowledge driven. Just yesterday, we were having a vital signs clinic where we got to take vital signs of actual teachers and students. So yes, I truly love the healthcare classes at IA.  –Risha, Senior in Healthcare 
• Yes. The teachers teach you everything from scratch, so though I did not have any previous experience in engineering, I was able to enjoy and learn through the class.  –Anonymous, Sophomore in Engineering 

What advice do you have for future freshmen when they decide their pathway? 

• “If you want to go for something, go for it. Don’t be scared about what other people tell you, or what your parents tell you. Do what you are passionate about.”  –Sumeda, Junior in IT 
• Pick something you like, not something that you might think you might be good at or the pathway your friends are doing.  –Anonymous, Sophomore in Engineering 
• Really choose what you are leaning towards, and what you have a passion for. Choose something you are interested in, because that’s how you go deeper into a topic and can get really involved in IA.  –Risha, Senior in Healthcare